President Bill Clinton :: Biography

Introduction This paper will discuss the life and work of William Jefferson Blythe III @ Bill Clinton. It will summarize his early life, his rise in American politics, his achievements as the leader of the world's superpower, his extremely infamous affair and his post-presidential career. Early Life The 42nd president of the United States of America was born on August 19, 1946 in Hope, Arkansas. Named after his father, who died 3 months before he was born, he was raised by his mother, Virginia Dell Cassidy and later his step-father, Roger Clinton. He assumed his last name "Clinton" legally when he was 14, according to Bill, his father was an alcoholic who regularly abused his mother and half-brother, Roger Jr. Bill Clinton excelled while in high school, both academically and through extra-curricular activities. He was a talented saxophonist and at a point, considered dedicating his life to music. However, his interest in politics surfaced after a class trip to the White House to meet the current president then, John F. Kennedy. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Foreign Services at Georgetown University. He won a scholarship to University College, Oxford. After Oxford, Juris Doctor Degree from Yale Law school. It was here that he met his wife Hilary Rodham. They wedded in 1975 and were blessed with a daughter, Chelsea in 1980. Political Career In 1978, Bill Clinton was elected Governor of Arkansas. He was defeated for a second term due to an unpopular motor vehicle tax and anger by the public over escaped Cuban prisoners. However, in 1982 he won back the post and it was during his time as the 52nd Governor of Arkansas that he began to rise in great heights. He was elected as president in 1992 when he won against George H.W. Bush by 43% of the votes. During his administration, the U.S enjoyed the most peace and economic well being than any other time in history. He achieved budget surplus, achieved the lowest unemployment rate of modern times, the lowest inflation rate in three decades, the highest home ownership in the country's history, dropping crime rates in many places, and reduced welfare rolls. The States had five consecutive years of real wage growth, after declining 4.3 percent during the two preceding administrations. This represented the longest consecutive increase since a period in the 1960's and 1970's. Record breaking home ownership at 2/3 of households being homeowners with minority homeownership also reaching new heights represented another of his great achievements.