Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich Both Bill

¶ … Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich

Both Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich have served in very powerful positions in the United States government. In fact, their terms of service have overlapped. They are both recognized as eminent experts in the fields of economics, government and world history.

Both are also authors who have penned bestselling books in the non-fiction genre.

There are many similarities in terms of their personal lives as well. Both men hail from southern states. Gingrich was raised in Georgia, which he represented in Congress. They were also both involved in extra-marital scandals that tainted their public careers. Clinton's affair with intern Monica Lewinsky, for example, led to his impeachment. Gingrich, on the other hand, admitted to a 6-year affair that eventually led to his divorce in 1999.

However, additional similarities between the two men are few. Bill Clinton, a Democrat, has served two terms as President of the United States.

Prior to serving the highest office in the land, Clinton also served as the Attorney General and later, as Governor of Arkansas. Unlike Gingrich, Clinton never served as a legislator, though Clinton did run for a seat in Congress representing Arkansas's Third District early in his career.

In contrast, Gingrich's political career has centered on legislative work. He served ten terms in Congress and was the first Republican to be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives since 1928. During his decade-long stint in Congress, Gingrich represented the Sixth Congressional District of Georgia.

In contrast to Clinton, who had aspired to a career in public service, Gingrich worked in the private sector prior to being elected to Congress.

The two men also differ significantly in their public policies. Gingrich has consistently adopted conservative economic and political policies. For example, Gingrich was a vocal critic of proposals to raise the federal minimum wage levels, arguing that such a raise would be detrimental to businesses.

As Speaker of the House, Gingrich voted to eliminate many federally-funded education programs aimed at minority students and other disadvantaged groups. Gingrich also refused to enforce environmental legislation that would have mandated stricter pollution control laws for industries.

Clinton, on the other hand, has worked to institute several programs aimed at increasing funding for the needy, for minorities and for environmental programs. One of his first campaigns upon assuming the presidency, for example, was the contentious plan to pass universal health insurance for all American citizens. Clinton has constantly supported legislation to strengthen environmental rules and to upgrade education. He also created several social welfare programs, including the Family Medical and Emergency Leave Act, which protects the jobs of people who need to take emergency leaves to care for sick loved ones.