| Clinton, William Jefferson Known as "Bill." Born 1946. The 42nd President of the United States (1993-2001). The first Democratic President since Franklin Roosevelt to be elected to a second term, his presidency was marked by economic expansion and the first balanced federal budget in thirty years. In 1999 he was impeached by the House of Representatives on perjury and obstruction of justice charges but was acquitted by the Senate on both counts. |
An American political leader of the late twentieth century. A Democrat, he handily defeated President George H. W. Bush's bid for reelection in 1992. Clinton, a former Rhodes scholar, had served as governor of Arkansas. Although harried by questions about his character during his presidential campaign, Clinton proved adept at reconciling the conservative and liberal wings of the Democratic party and establishing himself as the candidate of change. He was elected to a second term in 1996. His second term was plagued by charges of sexual misconduct, which led to the Clinton impeachment. Nevertheless, he retained great popularity, partly because of a booming economy.