41ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

President George H.W. Bush

"I CAN TELL YOU THIS: IF I'M EVER IN A POSITION TO CALL THE SHOTS, I'M NOT GOING

TO RUSH TO SEND SOMEBODY ELSE'S

KIDS INTO A WAR.“

- GEORGE BUSH

“‘These are the times that try men’s souls.’ But even as planes of the

multinational forces attack Iraq, I prefer to think of peace, not war. I am convinced not only that we will prevail, but that out of the horror of combat will come the recognition that no nation will

be permitted to brutally assault its neighbor.”

- President George Bush

"One of the ironies of George Bush's life is that a fundamentally decent man presided over a moment when politics got meaner and rougher... Lee Atwater and these henchmen for Bush looking for the so-called wedge issues, not really staying on the high road and talking about the great issues of the day, but rather sniping at their opponent to find some weakness in him. And Bush put up with that."

1989

1991

1992

End of the Cold War, a Mixed Blessing?

For Europe, threat of Soviet Union was over and Eastern Europe was free from Soviet domination But many nations were underdeveloped, not used to

democracy, unstable as nations

Although U.S. had won as world’s only remaining superpower…Now What Remain interventionist, if so when and how? Revert to isolationism?

The Gulf War

U.S. had strategic interests Prevent Saddam from

interfering with Middle Eastern oil production

Keep Iraq and Iran balanced

Saddam Hussein and Iraq Claimed retaking of

natural Iraqi land Power grab, sought

Kuwait’s oil reserves

12/18/11

“A president is neither prince nor pope, and I

don’t seek a window on men’s souls”

- George H.W. Bush

Outcomes of the Persian Gulf War

Saddam Hussein ousted from Kuwait No Fly Zone, sanctions

enforced, concern over weapson programs

Take two? Invasion in 2003

U.S. has permanent presence in Middle East Osama bin Laden inspired

to attack the United States Emboldened Iran in the face

of a weaker Iraq Especially since 2003

invasion

Bush’s Foreign Policy Approach

Sought to establish a "New World Order,“ Collective security Multinational

cooperation Breaking down Cold

War alliances and using peaceful nations to stand united against rogue states.

Supporters: United States had to take on a large role as world leader to guard against human rights abuses, defend democratic regimes, and lead humanitarian efforts.

Critics: Unrealistic for U.S. to engage where national interests not involved; catchphrase/gimmick of idealism

Bush Domestic Affairs

Not Conservative Enough?

Americans with Disabilities Act Required

accommodations to be made for disabled

Clean Air Act Set new standards

curbing car emissionsBoth seen as betrayals

for the Reagan Revolution Increased regulation,

gov’t bureaucracy

Clarence Thomas Anita Hill Hearings

Sparked a national debate on Sexual Harassment in the workplace

Illustrated that culture issues had lost some wider appeal

“The future is not an inheritance, it is an opportunity

and an obligation…The most important family

policy, urban policy, labor policy, minority policy, and foreign

policy America can have is an expanding entrepreneurial

economy of high-wage, high-skilled jobs.”

- Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton, a “New Democrat”

Helped to rebrand the Democratic Party with his “New Democrat” centrist approach No longer New Deal

liberals Pro-growth Strong on defense Tough on crime Reform welfare Balance budgets

Clinton Domestic Agenda

Motor Voter Law Allowed voter

registration at RMV/DMV Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy

instituted (DADT) Gay men and women can

serve as long as their sexual orientation is not known

Family Medical Leave Act May receive 12 weeks of

unpaid leave for medical/family reasons and still have job

Modern Extensions of Clinton Era Issues

Should the federal government be allowed to mandate that everyone have health care coverage?

Do you believe that people should have to produce a photo I.D. in order to vote?

Do you believe that DADT should have been repealed? What are your thoughts on the Defense of Marriage

Act and the Justice Department’s decision to not defend it in court?

Should assault weapons be banned? Should high capacity clips be banned? Should there be background checks and waiting periods for gun purchases?

Clinton Tough on Crime

Clinton passed new stiffer gun control limits Brady Bill

Mandatory waiting period of five days, background check required

Assault Weapons Ban Placed limits on Assault

weapons and high capacity clips over 10 rounds

Instant background check still in effect, AWB expired in 2004

Branch Davidian Cult, Waco Texas 1993

ATF raided compound, 51 day seige took place

Led by David Koresh

76 people died, including 21 children and two pregnant women when the compound was set on fire from within

Oklahoma City Bombing, 1996

Anti government act of domestic terrorism committed when Timothy McVeigh set off a truck bomb outside the federal building killing 168 people killed and wounding 680 others.

Committed on the anniversary of the Waco Siege ending/fire

Columbine High School shooting, April 20, 1999Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, 12 students killed, one teacher

Provoked National Debate:

Regarding gun control laws, guns violence involving youths.

High school cliques, subcultures, bullying and intervention

Role of violent video games/movies in American society

Increased emphasis on school security

"The tank, the B-52, the fighter-bomber, the state controlled

police are the weapons of dictatorship. The rifle is the

weapon of democracy....”

- Edward Abbey (American author)

The Second Amendment

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.“

Should assault weapons be banned?

Should there be background checks and waiting periods for gun purchases?

Should high capacity clips be banned? (anything over 10 rounds)

Violence in Movies/TV

Public Enemy, 1930s. Most violent film of the decade, had eight deaths

Robocop, Die Hard, and Rambo each had over 60 deaths

1991, by the age of 18 the average viewer had witnessed some 40,000 murders on TV

The Contract with America

Republicans gained control of both houses of Congress

Sought to realign back with Reagan principles of smaller gov’t, cut welfare, balance budgets, etc. Over estimated

mandate with gov’t shutdown in 1994.

Welfare Reform Act of 1996

1/10/11

"Segregation is no longer the law, but too often separation is

still the rule."

- Bill Clinton, 1997

A Racial Divide

Harsh racial tone during decade Affirmative Action policies

repealed by Proposition 209 in C.A.

Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court justice commented that Americans had “given up on integration.”

Persistence of inequality 1972 income of black families

were 1/3 less than white families

Virtually unchanged 20 years later

Sharp declines in black test scores, achievement gap remained

Rodney King Riots, L.A. 1992

In reaction to four white officers being “not guity” of excessive force, L.A. erupted into rioting Verdict ignited an

already tense atmosphere Mistrust towards

police Urban decay Defacto segregation

O.J. Simpson Trial

85% of African Americans agreed with the “not guilty” verdict

34% of whites agreedIn response, inclusive

“Million Man March” on Washington (half a million)

Racial Ambivalence?

1964 1 in 5 whites lived near a black neighbor

1994 3 in 5 whites did so1968 17% of whites and 48% of blacks

approved of interracial marriage1994 had increased to 45% for whites and

68% for blacksYet was there a voluntary racial apartheid?

Clinton’s Foreign Policy: Undefined

Hesitant to intervene disaster during humanitarian mission to Somalia

Avoided genocide in Bosnia 1993, Rwanda 1995,

Successfully intervened in 1999 in Kosovo

Brokered Israeli/Palestinian peace agreements, pathway to statehood Only to be shattered by

extremists on both sides

Clinton’s Defense…said with a straight face!

“I have not had sex with her as I defined it”

My understanding of this definition is it covers contact by the person being deposed with the enumerated areas, if the contact is done with an intent to arouse or gratify”

Clinton had not made any effort to arouse or gratify Lewinsky, he had therefore not “had sex”

“It depends on how you define alone”

When pressed if lawyer’s previous statement “that there is absolutely no sex of any kind,” Clinton said it was not untrue because “it depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”

Longest Economic Expansion in History

1998 unemployment down to 4.5%, lowest since 60s

Inflation down to 1%, lowest since 50sFed. Gov’t had first surplus since 69’By 2000, 237 billion surplusDot.com boom, some 200 companies went

public, raised 20 billionNASDAQ doubled from Oct 1999-March 2000Crash in spring, NASDAQ lost half its value, 2

trillion in stocks lost

North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA

Free trade agreement under Clinton

Effects are controversial; lowers cost of goods, creates opportunities for American companies

Or…

Lost jobs to Mexico with available cheap labor