United States government structure and functions

¶ … Bill Clinton

William Jefferson Clinton's time as the forty-second president was not marked by any major successes or failures. Much of his presidency was spent trying to implement economic and social reform, including a balanced budget and major changes to the national health care system. He used his roles as chief executive and chief economic planner to pursue his social and economic reform agenda, but also extended those goals to the international stage, using his powers as commander-in-chief as well as chief diplomat to influence foreign policy and international politics. However, his presidency will perhaps be marked by three major achievements: his tarnished reputation as chief of state because of the constant scandals surrounding his presidency, the weakening of the presidency as a result of his impeachment despite his role as chief judge, and his revival of the Democratic Party as political party chief.

Chief of State

From his 1992 campaign, Clinton faced numerous character attacks, from accusations of marital infidelity to drug use to draft dodging. Furthermore, the scandal around the Whitewater land deal tainted his first term as rumors circulated, claiming that Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, had abused his political influence to stop the investigation of one of his deal partners (Hayden 79). The effects of the Whitewater scandal continued despite Clinton being cleared of all accusations when others related to the land deal were later indicted on various charges (Hayden 80). Despite these hits to his reputation, Clinton's public approval steadily rose and by 1995, no less than forty percent of people polled "thought the president was doing a good job," especially in handling situations like the tragic Oklahoma City bombing (Hayden 37). This popularity probably carried him through the 1996 election and into his second term, but again, his second term would begin with rumors of scandal. While many took issue with his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, "his lies to the public and his associates" and "his stonewalling of pursuers" were the greater sins that would lead him onto the road to impeachment (Campbell 12). Ultimately, Clinton escaped conviction on the charges of obstruction of justice and perjury, but to many, he failed in his role as chief of state, unable to sufficiently be a representative of American principles and ideals.

Chief Executive

Clinton's most significant influences as chief executive circulated around his efforts to improve the government's administration in terms of economic and social services. In both his plans to balance the federal budget and reform the nation's health care system, he often clashed with Republicans, producing mixed results. While the first balanced budget in three decades was produced during his administration, there were also two partial federal government shutdowns as a result of disagreements about budget cuts and priorities ("Clinton"). Additionally, his hopes to reform the nation's health care system, a campaign in which his wife, Hillary, played a large role, faced widespread opposition and in the end, did not come to fruition.