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Bill Clinton Accomplishments

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William Jefferson Clinton, known as Bill Clinton, served as the 42nd President of the United States during a time of significant economic expansion and political conflict. Clinton’s presidency is characterized by dramatic highs and lows resulting from his handling of a divided government, questionable character, and energizing personality. His legacy includes a mix of massive blunders and remarkable upturns, leading to widespread debate about his presidential greatness (Arnold 1). Clinton’s presidential ranking of thirteen in the Siena 2010 survey serves as evidence of his rise to a top fifteen presidential ranking and a point of contention to be examined. This paper uses his level of progressiveness, history of scandal, and strength of accomplishments …show more content…

The Clinton-Gore Administration signed many executive orders and laws into place that protected the health of youth and regulated the quality of food and water. The Food Quality Protection Act and certain amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act were signed by Clinton, which created stricter standards to make sure food and water were safe for all Americans (Change). Meanwhile, Clinton signed into law various legislation to protect the health of children such as Megan’s Law, the expansion of federal child support enforcements, and the first-ever comprehensive plan to reduce youth smoking. By the end of his first term, Clinton showed the American voters that he enacted purposeful laws that would benefit future …show more content…

This bottom 5 ranking is largely, if not completely, due to the Monica Lewinski scandal that tarnished American’s view of his character, but didn’t effect his popularity. With respect to the nature and public perception of Bill Clinton, he represents a paradoxical dichotomy. On the one hand, Clinton has been known as the most publicly shamed President in modern day history. Yet, oddly enough, he is also hailed as one of the most charismatic and popular presidents in modern day history as well. The decline of Americans’ trust in Clinton began on January 21, 1998, when the story broke about Clinton’s improper sexual relationship with a young female intern at the White House, Monica Lewinsky (Book 447). Despite polls showing that two-thirds of people believed Clinton lied about the affair, his approval rating improved in 1998. “At the beginning of 1998, Clinton’s job approval rating hovered just above 50%” but by “the end of the year it was approaching 70%, higher than at any previous time in his presidency” (722 Iowa). Clinton’s popularity, despite being surrounded by scandal, showed the power of his relatable personality and

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