Bill Clinton on the Issues

2024 Presidential Candidates

Bill Clinton
On the issues>>
Wikipedia
Ballotpedia
Contact Bill Clinton
VoteMatch
President of the U.S., 1993-2001; Former Democratic Governor (AR)

2024 Contenders:

Pres.Joe Biden(D-DE)

Gov.Doug Burgum(R-ND)

Gov.Chris Christie(R-NJ)

Gov.Ron DeSantis(R-FL)

Larry Elder(R-CA)

Gov.Nikki Haley(R-SC)

V.P.Kamala Harris(D-CA)

Howie Hawkins(Green)

Will Hurd(R-TX)

Asa Hutchinson(R-AR)

Perry Johnson(R-MI)

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.(I-NY)

Mayor Steve Laffey(R-RI)

Joe Maldonado(Libertarian)

JChase Oliver(Libertarian)

V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)

Vivek Ramaswamy(R-OH)

Sen.Tim Scott(R-SC)

Secy.Corey Stapleton(R)

Dr.Jill Stein(Green)

Francis Suarez(R-FL)

Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)

Sen.JD Vance(R-OH)

Gov.Tim Walz(DFL-MN)

Prof.Cornel West(Independent)

Kanye West(Birthday)

Marianne Williamson(D-CA)

OnTheIssues Books:

Hillary Clinton vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2014)

Marco Rubio vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2015)

Hillary Clinton vs. Rand Paul on the Issues (2015)

Rand Paul vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2015)

Archives

The Courage to be Free, by Gov. Ron DeSantis

American Crisis, by Andrew Cuomo

Team of Five, by Kate Brower

2018 Mississippi Senate race

Higher Loyalty, by FBI Director James Comey

Trump impeachment

American Leaders Speak Out on Criminal Justice: Brennan Center for Justice essays

Bill Clinton vs. Hillary Clinton On The Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org

The Washington Post

Meet the Press interviews, throughout 2014

Hard Choices, by Senator Hillary Clinton

The New York Times, 2010-2019

2012 DNC speeches

The New Black Politician, by Andra Gillespie

The Case for Polarized Politics, by Jeff Bell

No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington, by Condoleezza Rice

Back to Work, by President Bill Clinton

In My Time, by Dick Cheney

63 Documents, by Gov. Jesse Ventura

Teachers Under Attack: How NJ Governor Chris Christie's Personal Vendetta Against Teachers Will Des, by Mike Spina

Foreign Policy magazine

Leadership and Crisis, by Bobby Jindal

Decision Points, by George W. Bush

Courage and Consequence, by Karl Rove

A Life of Trial and Redemption, by Jules Witcover

The Last Best Hope, by Joe Scarborough

Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin

Republican Leader: ~ by John David Dyche

Mike Bloomberg: Money, Power, Politics, by Joyce Purnick

In the President`s Secret Service, by Ronald Kessler

Hopes and Prospects, by Noam Chomsky

How Obama is Endangering our National Sovereignty, by Ambassador John Bolton

2010: Take Back America, by Dick Morris & Eileen McGann

Trustbuilding, by Rob Corcoran; introduction by Tim Kaine

The 100: Insight and Lessons from 100 of the Greatest Speeches Ever Delivered

No Apology, by Gov. Mitt Romney

NY newspaper: The New York Times

Guilty, by Ann Coulter

The Test of our Times, by Gov. Tom Ridge

The Battle for America 2008, by Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson

Saving Freedom, by Sen. Jim DeMint

Do the Right Thing, by Mike Huckabee

Think Big by Donald Trump

Obama's Challenge, by Robert Kuttner

Speeches at 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver

What Happened, by Scott McClellan

Against the Tide: How a Compliant Congress Empowered a Reckless President, by Lincoln Chafee

Critical: What We Can Do About the Health Care Crisis, by Tom Daschle

Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series, with Tim Russert

Surrender Is Not an Option, by Ambassador John Bolton

State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America, by Patrick J. Buchanan

The Myth of a Maverick, by Matt Welch

For Love of Politics: Bill and Hillary Clinton: The White House Years, by Sally Bedell Smith

God and Hillary Clinton: A Spiritual Life, by Paul Kengor

Giving, by Bill Clinton

The Blair Years, by Alastair Campbell

A Woman in Charge, by Carl Bernstein

Her Way, by Jeff Gerth & Don Van Natta

The Assault on Reason, by Al Gore

Stand For Something, by John Kasich

What A Party!, by Terry McAuliffe and Steve Kettman

Giuliani: Flawed or Flawless?

The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama

Our Endangered Values, by Jimmy Carter

Herding Cats, by Sen. Trent Lott

It Takes a Family, by Rick Santorum (April 30, 2006)

How Bill Clinton Won, by Bob Woodward

The Agenda: Inside the Clinton White House, by Bob Woodward

A Patriot`s Handbook, selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy

Where the Right Went Wrong, by Pat Buchanan

Speeches to the Democratic National Convention

Madame Hillary, by R. Emmett Tyrell of The American Spectator

Tour of Duty

Pigs at the Trough, by Arianna Huffington

Living History, by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Crossroads: The Future of American Politics, by Andrew Cuomo

I`ll Be Short, by Robert Reich

The Natural, by Joe Klein

Power and Terror, by Noam Chomsky

The Death of the West, by Pat Buchanan, published Oct. 15, 2002

The Final Days, by Barbara Olson, published Oct. 2001

Bill Clinton's State of the Union speeches, 1994-2000

My Life, by Bill Clinton

Crashing the Party, by Ralph Nader

Clinton on Clinton

Hillary Clinton: The Inside Story, by Judith Warner

Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate, by Bob Woodward

Partners in Power, by Roger Morris

Friends in High Places, by Webb Hubbell

Character IS the Issue, by Mike Huckabee

Outsider in the House, by Senator Bernie Sanders (I, VT)

Slouching Towards Gomorrah, by Supreme Court Nominee Robert Bork

Between Hope and History, by Bill Clinton

State of the Union, by Thomas Blood and Bruce Henderson

The Dysfunctional President, by Paul Fick

Agenda For America, by Gov. Haley Barbour (R, MS)

Quotations from Speaker Newt, by Newt Gingrich and Amy D. Bernstein

The Clinton-Bush-Perot Presidential Debates

Ballotpedia.org political website

(click a picture above for excerpts or other books and debates by or about Bill_Clinton)

Fun Stuff

Social Networking sites for OnTheIssues:
FaceBook
YouTube
MySpace
On The Issues

Promote Your Page Too

Prez-Veep-Senator
Our associated Yahoo discussion group

Our iPhone App
iPhone App with ads (free)

Our iPhone App
Same App without ads ($1.99)

Issues

Infrastructure & Technology

International Issues	Domestic Issues	Economic Issues	Social Issues
Foreign Policy	Gun Control	Budget & Economy	Education
Homeland Security	Crime	Government Reform	Civil Rights
War & Peace	Drugs	Tax Reform	Abortion
Free Trade	Health Care	Social Security	Families & Children
Immigration	Technology	Corporations	Welfare & Poverty
Energy & Oil	Environment	Jobs	Principles & Values

Bill Clinton on Abortion

Click here for 11 full quotes on Abortion OR other candidates on Abortion OR background on Abortion.

Allow medical research that uses tissue from aborted fetuses. (Jun 2019)
1993: Rescind Mexico City Policy: fund abortion abroad. (Jan 2017)
1980s: pro-choice since Bible defines life starting at birth. (Jul 2007)
1993: Undid draconian family planning policies. (Jun 2007)
Roe v. Wade was the right decision. (Jun 2004)
Vetoed partial birth abortion ban for having no exceptions. (Dec 2003)
Reversed global gag order on family planning. (Nov 2003)
1993: allowed abortions on overseas U.S. military bases. (Sep 2003)
Require Medicaid to pay for abortions for poor women. (Aug 1996)
Revoke Mexico City Policy: family planning ok in foreign aid. (Aug 1996)
Let women decide with their doctor and their God. (Jan 1996)

Bill Clinton on Budget & Economy

Click here for 34 full quotes on Budget & Economy OR other candidates on Budget & Economy OR background on Budget & Economy.

1999: we have cut up Washington's credit card. (Jun 2019)
No one could fix mess in 4 years; but policies are working. (Sep 2012)
How to balance budgets? Arithmetic; which GOP ignores. (Sep 2012)
Too little government oversight caused 2010 recession. (Nov 2011)
S&P credit downgrade caused by dysfunctional politics. (Nov 2011)
Balanced approach to recovery: jobs, investment, and debt. (Nov 2011)
Get $4 trillion in banks back into economy. (Nov 2011)
If Congress won't legislate, fix by Executive Order. (Jan 2011)
1995-97: Cutting capital gains tax helped eradicate deficit. (Apr 2010)
OpEd: Left country on brink of recession in 2001. (Jul 2009)
1995: Bill supported balancing budget in 10 years. (Oct 2007)
First modern Pres.to use fiscal discipline to balance budget. (Jun 2007)
Ran budget by "PayGo": compensate for any lost revenue. (Oct 2006)
OpEd: 1995 shutdown led to first balanced budget in 40 years. (May 2006)
1992: A deficit hawk elected to fix the economy. (Nov 2005)
1995: balance the budget in ten years. (Nov 2005)
Borrowing money to pay for the deficit fails our trade laws. (Jul 2004)
1993 budget signaled the return of fiscal responsibility. (Nov 2003)
New Clintonism demonstrated in 1997 balanced budget. (Feb 2003)
1992: Connected with audience on recession's personal effect. (Feb 2003)
OpEd: Despite personal issues, ran a disciplined presidency. (Feb 2003)
Reduced federal deficit from eleven zeroes to simply zero. (Feb 2003)
1995 budget impasse blamed on Republican intransigence. (Feb 2003)
Longest Economic Expansion in US History. (Dec 2000)
Pay off National Debt to reduce interest payments for all. (Dec 2000)
Zero deficit, not 11 zeroes, for first time in 30 years. (Jan 1998)
Cut the deficit to lower interest rates. (Jan 1996)
Drew from Robert Reich's book "The Work of Nations". (Jun 1994)
Cut the deficit in half over four years. (Jun 1994)
Reich's "human capital theory" became "Putting People First". (Jun 1994)
Economic recovery: "We're all in this together". (Jun 1994)
Raise short-term rates to keep long-term interest rates low. (Jun 1994)
Cut defense & ask wealthy Americans to pay their share. (Oct 1992)
Focus on education, investment, and change. (Jul 1980)

Bill Clinton on Civil Rights

Click here for 25 full quotes on Civil Rights OR other candidates on Civil Rights OR background on Civil Rights.

Overturn DOMA; it provided an excuse for discrimination. (Jun 2013)
Promised open gays in military; but compromised with DADT. (Mar 2012)
Do the hard work of bridging racial divisions. (Mar 2010)
1997: Lead a great and unprecedented conversation on race. (Mar 2010)
1978: Supported ERA peripherally in first Governor race. (Jun 2007)
Unlike most white politicians, didn't need Jesse Jackson. (May 2006)
No quotas and no reverse discrimination. (Apr 2005)
Believed in affirmative action on racial & personal grounds. (Feb 2003)
1991: Pledged to allow gays to serve openly in military. (Feb 2003)
MLK didn't fight for freedom to abandon family. (Feb 2003)
1996: Supported affirmative action despite its unpopularity. (Feb 2003)
1995: On affirmative action: �mend not end�. (Oct 2001)
1993: Issued gays-in-military policy �don�t ask, don�t tell�. (Oct 2001)
Work to End Racial Profiling. (Aug 2000)
End Discrimination Against People With AIDS. (May 2000)
First President to appoint open gays. (May 2000)
Women should get equal pay for equal work. (Jan 2000)
Include sexual orientation in Hate Crimes. (Jan 1999)
Help minority- and women-owned businesses compete. (Jun 1998)
Affirmative Action is still an effective tool. (Aug 1996)
OpEd: Clinton administration has a love affair with quotas. (Apr 1996)
Affirmative action: mend it, don�t end it. (Jan 1996)
Affirmative action is a moral imperative. (Jul 1995)
People of all races are equal in the eyes of God. (Oct 1992)
Shift from group preferences to economic empowerment of all. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Corporations

Click here for 10 full quotes on Corporations OR other candidates on Corporations OR background on Corporations.

Republicans cut taxes for the rich & deregulate banks. (Sep 2012)
More incentives for small business and technology transfers. (Nov 2011)
If banks loaned out their $2T in cash, recession would end. (Jan 2011)
Downsizing is part of transition to information economy. (Apr 2010)
Since 2001, 40-year high in corporate profit, but flat wages. (Sep 2007)
1980s: microcredit in rural Arkansas; 1990s: same across US. (Sep 2007)
Investment capital over nonproductive corporate debt. (Jun 2004)
OpEd: Pushed corporate-inspired bills on telecomm & trade. (Oct 2002)
Limit deductions for executive pay. (Aug 1996)
50% tax exclusion for long-term investment in new business. (Aug 1996)

Bill Clinton on Crime

Click here for 16 full quotes on Crime OR other candidates on Crime OR background on Crime.

End over-imprisonment for non-serious crimes. (Apr 2015)
Survived six assassination attempts in 1994, one by airplane. (Jun 2009)
Post-prison work training reduces recidivism. (Sep 2007)
1980s:Sought pastoral counsel on capital punishment decision. (Jul 2007)
The Republicans are taking police off the streets. (Jul 2004)
Approved Arkansas execution of mentally retarded black man. (Feb 2003)
Pardoned half brother Roger; 1st family member ever pardoned. (Oct 2001)
Crime has dropped, but US is still not safe enough. (Jan 2000)
Expand the death penalty. (Aug 1996)
More community police; more prison construction. (Aug 1996)
51-day Branch Davidian siege resulted in 76 deaths. (Aug 1996)
1994 crime bill funded basketball instead of real problem. (Apr 1996)
Three Strikes and You�re Out for violent criminals. (Jan 1996)
Death penalty for 60 violent crimes. (Jan 1996)
More police, punishment, & prevention. (Jan 1996)
Sister Souljah accepting LA riots was racist. (Jun 1994)

Bill Clinton on Drugs

Click here for 11 full quotes on Drugs OR other candidates on Drugs OR background on Drugs.

Medical marijuana ok; leave recreational pot to the states. (Jun 2014)
Fight war on drugs in all of the Andean states. (Nov 2011)
Work with Mexico to address drug smuggling problems. (Jun 2004)
1984 drug arrest of brother Roger reportedly implicated Bill. (Feb 2004)
Gov. Clinton implicated in his brother Roger�s drug arrest. (Feb 2004)
$195M National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. (Aug 2000)
Stop the flow of illegal money to Colombia Cali cartel. (Aug 1996)
OpEd: "War on Drugs" included gum package labeling. (Apr 1996)
DARE to have drug-free schools. (Jan 1996)
Drug strategy to reduce both supply and demand. (Jan 1996)
My brother would not be alive today if drugs were legal. (Oct 1992)

Bill Clinton on Education

Click here for 23 full quotes on Education OR other candidates on Education OR background on Education.

Pay off college loans with percentage of 20 years' income. (Nov 2011)
Pushed for voluntary national school standards. (Feb 2011)
Donated his saxophone to Save the Music school program. (Sep 2007)
1990s: Campaign for school uniforms. (Apr 2006)
Education is the best possible investment in people. (Nov 2005)
$15B in education aid to �support what works�. (Jun 2004)
Reasonable range of religious expression in schools. (Jun 2004)
1997: Established middle class entitlement: 2 years college. (Feb 2003)
Expand public school choice and public charter schools. (Jul 2000)
Proven formula: higher standards & more accountability. (Jan 2000)
1983: Required teacher testing as part of funding increase. (Nov 1999)
More tax credits for college tuition. (Aug 1999)
1986 initiative: Good beginnings, Good schools, & Good jobs. (Nov 1997)
America Reads initiative: one million volunteer tutors. (Feb 1997)
National crusade: educate for 21st century knowledge economy. (Feb 1997)
OpEd: "Goals 2000" came close to nationalizing education. (Apr 1996)
Goals 2000: public school choice & character education. (Jan 1996)
Both teachers and students must demonstrate competence. (Jan 1996)
Need not leave religion at the schoolhouse door. (Jan 1996)
Private student prayer OK; but no official school prayer. (Jan 1996)
Reward best public schools; redesign failing ones. (Jan 1996)
1984 budget proposed $180M for Hillary's education reform. (Aug 1993)
Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Energy & Oil

Click here for 15 full quotes on Energy & Oil OR other candidates on Energy & Oil OR background on Energy & Oil.

Green energy: tax incentives for solar & wind. (Nov 2011)
Wind, solar, and retrofits create more jobs than coal. (Nov 2011)
Clean power from landfills, natural gas, hybrids, and CAF�. (Nov 2011)
Pick 1 or 2 states; make them completely energy independent. (Nov 2011)
Adopt GHG cap-and-trade system including India & China. (Sep 2007)
Climate change is existential threat to civilization. (Sep 2007)
1977: Opposed AR nuclear power plant construction. (Sep 2007)
Helped negotiate Kyoto Treaty on climate change. (Sep 2006)
$1 trillion global market for clean energy. (Oct 2003)
1997: Signed Kyoto Protocol on global warming. (Oct 2001)
Climate change: more biomass, more efficiency. (Apr 2000)
Tax incentive to produce 80 mpg superefficient cars. (Jan 2000)
Need binding treaties on global warming. (Jan 1996)
Gasoline tax acceptable; BTU tax better. (Jun 1994)
Supports tradable emissions permits for greenhouse gases. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Environment

Click here for 13 full quotes on Environment OR other candidates on Environment OR background on Environment.

If you double your gas mileage, it cuts cost & reduces CO2. (Sep 2012)
OpEd: Arsenic rule would cost small western towns millions. (Nov 2009)
Worked with Bush Sr on Katrina relief in New Orleans. (Sep 2007)
With Bush Sr, raised $14M for Asian tsunami reconstruction. (Sep 2007)
1981: Dumbest mistake: paid for roads by car tag fees. (Jun 2007)
Imposed 608 pages of ergonomic rules in final days in office. (Oct 2001)
Lowered arsenic levels in drinking water. (Oct 2001)
False choice between economy and environment. (Jan 2000)
Throw corporate polluters in jail. (Aug 1996)
No net loss wetlands policy. (Aug 1996)
Signed 1982 Law of the Sea treaty ; awaiting ratification. (Apr 1996)
Much left to do on clean air, water, & environment. (Jan 1996)
Increase fuel efficiency from 27 mpg to 40 mpg. (Oct 1992)

Bill Clinton on Families & Children

Click here for 15 full quotes on Families & Children OR other candidates on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.

Medical Leave Act made real difference in people's lives. (Jan 2007)
1990s: Doubled federal funding for child care. (Jan 2007)
A strong America requires strong community. (Jun 2004)
Family and Medical Leave Act: pro-family & pro-work. (Oct 2003)
New Initiatives to Collect more Child Support. (Sep 2000)
Incentives for home ownership. (Aug 2000)
Parenthood makes you less self-absorbed. (Nov 1999)
No drive-through maternity; no drive-through mastectomy. (Feb 1997)
Establish a national registry of sex offenders. (Aug 1996)
Triple funding for battered women's shelters. (Aug 1996)
Crack down on parents who avoid child support. (Aug 1996)
Parents controlling what kids watch on TV is not censorship. (Jan 1996)
Get tough on youth violence and gangs. (Jan 1996)
Favors parental choice in childcare & in education. (Aug 1993)
Give parents tools to balance work and family. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Foreign Policy

Click here for 48 full quotes on Foreign Policy OR other candidates on Foreign Policy OR background on Foreign Policy.

Promised to move US Embassy to Jerusalem, but did not. (Feb 2023)
2009: Rescue mission to North Korea to free 2 US journalists. (Jun 2014)
North Korea can be talked out of its nuclear weapons program. (Nov 2007)
Implement Brahimi report: work towards UN standing army. (Sep 2000)
Make good on our debt to the United Nations. (Jan 1998)
End of Cold War brings incredible opportunity for change. (Oct 1992)
Don't coddle tyrants in China; they respond when we stand up. (Oct 1992)
1990s Policies
1994: Briefed on Rwandan genocide but claimed ignorance. (Apr 2011)
1998: Signed onto International Criminal Court founding. (May 2010)
Expanded US role to Somalian nation-building. (Oct 2007)
Greatest regret: not sending troops against Rwanda genocide. (Sep 2007)
1980: housed Cuban Marielitos; riots ensued against KKK. (Jul 2007)
1994: �did not fully appreciate� Rwandan genocide. (Jun 2007)
1995: reached out to Irish Republican Army Sinn Fein leader. (Jan 2007)
Approved expanding Israeli settlements in West Bank. (Sep 2006)
1992: Helped refugees from Haiti, but only in Haiti. (Jun 2004)
1993: Pushed $1.6B Russia aid package despite unpopularity. (Jun 2004)
Months of preparation went into Arafat-Rabin handshake. (Nov 2003)
1993 Somalia crisis at same time as Russian coup attempt. (Nov 2003)
1980: Sent state troopers for refugee riot in Fort Chaffee. (Nov 2003)
1995: Pushed Mexican peso "bailout"; Mexico repaid all loans. (Feb 2003)
1990s: Supported military junta in Haiti. (May 2002)
1994: Ousted Cedras and returned Aristide to power in Haiti. (Jun 2000)
Deeply involved in UK-IRA negotiations. (Apr 1998)
North Korea must give up nuclear program to get economic aid. (Aug 1996)
During Russian crisis, stood arm-in-arm with Boris Yeltsin. (Apr 1996)
Strategy: strength, peace, and open trade. (Jan 1996)
Support forces of reform in Russia. (Jan 1996)
Engage China but take a firm line. (Jan 1996)
Eliminate tax subsidy for doing business in Puerto Rico. (Jun 1994)
1980: Criticized for letting Cubans escape from prison. (Aug 1993)
Political Philosophy
OpEd: 1994: Installed Aristide in Haiti subject to US rules. (Jun 2010)
Pledged to Gorbachev to not extend NATO eastward. (Jun 2010)
1990s: Worked with religious leaders for African debt relief. (May 2006)
Bush�s unilateralism strains international partnerships. (Jun 2004)
Foreign policy is domestic policy. (Feb 2003)
Routinely provide intelligence info to the UN. (Apr 1996)
Engagement over escapism and isolation. (Jan 1996)
Should not have tried to reason with Saddam the tyrant. (Oct 1992)
Devise NATIONAL policy, not foreign vs. domestic. (Jul 1980)
Post-presidential Policies
Substantial debt relief & trade for poor African countries. (Nov 2010)
1999 Millennium Development Goals: forgive 3rd world debt. (Sep 2007)
Taiwan: no independence; no recognition; no memberships. (Aug 2004)
Bush missed opportunity to unite US and the world. (Jul 2004)
Advocate for Tibet-China discussion on human rights. (Jun 2004)
More interdependency with Canada and Mexico. (Oct 2002)
Death of Communism shouldn't mean loss of American Dream. (Nov 1999)
Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Free Trade

Click here for 21 full quotes on Free Trade OR other candidates on Free Trade OR background on Free Trade.

Where do Bill and Hillary disagree on economic issues? (Jan 2015)
Be the innovator of the new multipolar world. (Nov 2011)
Export more services; get to emerging opportunities. (Nov 2011)
1999: Agreed on fair-trade clothing purchases from Cambodia. (Sep 2007)
1995: Determined to open Japanese auto market. (Nov 2005)
1993: NAFTA passed, but at a high price of dividing Dems. (Jun 2004)
Free markets let all people live out their dreams. (Jan 2004)
1995: End 19-year Vietnam trade embargo; bind up our wounds. (Jan 2004)
Assumed that economic globalization was inevitable. (Feb 2003)
Our tariff reductions were largest tax cut in world history. (Feb 2003)
Traditional borders challenged by new technologies. (Feb 2003)
US must not disentangle itself from the world. (Jan 2001)
Spur reforms via PNTR and China in WTO. (Jul 2000)
OpEd: supporting NAFTA was sellout to corporate America. (Jun 1997)
NAFTA increased exports to Mexico by 11%. (Aug 1996)
Completed the Reagan-Bush achievements on NAFTA. (Apr 1996)
On balance, trade creates jobs. (Jan 1996)
Support NAFTA & GATT: build bridges, not walls. (Jan 1996)
Fair trade will liberalize China. (Jan 1996)
For NAFTA with enforcement and job training. (Oct 1992)
Build a rule-based global trading system. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Government Reform

Click here for 28 full quotes on Government Reform OR other candidates on Government Reform OR background on Government Reform.

OpEd: Obstruction of justice often used for convenient. (Apr 2018)
Successful nations have strong economy and strong gov't. (Nov 2011)
American Dream requires effective gov't AND private sector. (Nov 2011)
Anti-government attitude resulted in massive national debt. (Nov 2011)
Gov't has role in security, social services, & oversight. (Nov 2011)
Move country back from anti-government to future business. (Jan 2011)
OpEd: Triangulation fails to defend party principles. (Aug 2008)
1993: Motor Voter law to increase electoral participation. (Aug 2008)
1996: The era of big government is over. (Aug 2008)
His 140 signing statements focused on judicial resolution. (Jul 2008)
1993: Proposed (and failed at) campaign finance reform. (Nov 2007)
Government matters, especially for big challenges. (Sep 2007)
2001: Last-minute pardons allegedly traded for donations. (Feb 2004)
Favored tax incentives over new bureaucracies. (Feb 2003)
OpEd: Mastered legislative process in 1995 budget impasse. (Feb 2003)
Presidential pardon is absolute right; all Presidents use it. (Feb 2001)
1972: More in Congress should have spoken up about Watergate. (Nov 1999)
Campaign promise: support Independent Counsel investigations. (Jun 1999)
Independent Counsel is cornerstone of trust of government. (Jun 1999)
1993: Considered firing all 95 US Attorneys. (Nov 1997)
Curb campaign spending & ban contributions from noncitizens. (Feb 1997)
End soft money; cap political spending. (Aug 1996)
Big Government is over; but government has a role. (Jan 1996)
Free TV time to candidates for public office. (Jan 1995)
Reinventing Government: cut $130B by shrinking departments. (Jan 1995)
Reinventing Government: cut 252,000 bureaucrats over 5 years. (Jan 1994)
Opposes Congressional term limits; bad for smaller states. (Oct 1992)
Voluntary public financing for all general elections. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Gun Control

Click here for 7 full quotes on Gun Control OR other candidates on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.

Background checks have prevented 179,000 illegal gun sales. (Aug 2000)
People should register guns like they register cars. (Jun 1999)
Five-day waiting period and instant background check. (Aug 1996)
Assault Weapons Ban resulted in 18% decline in use in crimes. (Aug 1996)
Support Brady Bill, oppose assault weapons. (Jan 1996)
National system to check criminal history for gun purchase. (Oct 1992)
Prevent unauthorized firearm use with "smart gun" technology. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Health Care

Click here for 27 full quotes on Health Care OR other candidates on Health Care OR background on Health Care.

ObamaCare has already insured millions and reduced costs. (Sep 2012)
Compromise on delivery methods to preserve full healthcare. (Jan 2011)
Failure in 1993 echoed Truman's failure in 1945. (Feb 2008)
Helped provide antiretrovirals to developing nations. (Sep 2007)
Citizen action on childhood obesity & overweight adults. (Sep 2007)
Co-led bipartisan effort against child obesity. (Sep 2007)
2002: Signed on 69 nations to buy generic HIV/AIDS medicine. (Sep 2007)
1993: Advisers urged scaling back Hillary�s healthcare role. (Jun 2007)
1990s plan: affordable, competitive, universal healthcare. (Jan 2007)
1995 health plan lost on politics, not on substance. (Nov 2005)
Universal coverage would reduce bureaucratic costs. (Jun 2004)
Loosen eligibility for disability benefits. (Jun 2004)
Security,simplicity,savings,choice,quality, & responsibility. (Jun 2004)
1992 campaign: �It�s the economy, stupid� but healthcare too. (Nov 2003)
Allowing patients to choose doctors is non-negotiable. (Nov 2003)
Despite reform failure, smaller reforms helped millions. (Nov 2003)
OpEd: Opposition to reform are "theologically-held" opinions. (Nov 2003)
Preferred healthcare vouchers in 1994. (Feb 2003)
Focus National Efforts on an AIDS Vaccine. (May 2000)
Patients' Bill of Rights: right to know all medical options. (Jan 1999)
Managed care plans save money & improve care. (Jan 1998)
Protect children from the epidemic of teen smoking. (Jan 1998)
OpEd: single-payer advocates opposed 1990s healthcare. (Jun 1997)
Do more for health insurance. (Jan 1996)
We cannot get deficit to zero until we address health costs. (Jun 1994)
Managed competition, not socialized medicine. (Oct 1992)
Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Homeland Security

Click here for 32 full quotes on Homeland Security OR other candidates on Homeland Security OR background on Homeland Security.

On Benghazi: No outrage when 10 were killed under Bush. (Jun 2014)
Foster renewable-energy projects in the military. (Nov 2011)
Clinton Doctrine: unilateral force for access to resources. (Jun 2010)
1993: treated WTC attack as a crime, not as terrorism. (Apr 2010)
Stand up and talk about fear and hatred. (Mar 2010)
Shrank military by 400,000 troops during 1990s. (Mar 2010)
Warned public in 1990s that anthrax threat was coming. (Sep 2009)
1990s terrorism commission concluded US would get hit big. (Apr 2008)
Response to 1993 World Trade Center bombing muted. (Oct 2007)
Torture must only be hypothetical exception, not US policy. (Sep 2007)
Signed Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Sep 2006)
Our generation's enemies: terrorists & their state sponsors. (Nov 2005)
Most millionaires don�t mind less tax cut to protect the US. (Jul 2004)
Proposed more funding for terrorism defense. (Jun 2004)
2000: Warned Bush that biggest problem was Al Qaeda & Osama. (Jun 2004)
1996: Effects of Agent Orange eligible for veteran benefits. (Jan 2004)
Better to be wrong & strong than weak & right. (Oct 2003)
Established AmeriCorps as national service program. (Feb 2003)
1998: Accused of "wagging the dog" by attacking Bin Laden. (Feb 2003)
Promise of national service watered down in AmeriCorps. (Feb 2003)
1999: Pardoned FALN Puerto Rican terrorist group. (Oct 2001)
1993: First visited Vietnam memorial with veteran Sen.McCain. (Oct 2001)
Gays in military issue resulted in disrespect from soldiers. (May 1999)
Explosive inspection machines for all airline baggage. (Aug 1996)
Steep fines on convicted terrorists to help victims. (Aug 1996)
START II: 25% reduction in nuclear arsenals. (Aug 1996)
Cut the $245B defense budget. (Aug 1996)
Reduce US forces in Europe to 100,000 troops. (Aug 1996)
OpEd: Counterproliferation failed; Iran got nuke from Russia. (Apr 1996)
Decrease force size but increase quality. (Jan 1996)
Finally, not a single Russian nuke is aimed at US. (Jan 1996)
Build a sensible missile defense, not �Star Wars�. (Jan 1996)

Bill Clinton on Immigration

Click here for 8 full quotes on Immigration OR other candidates on Immigration OR background on Immigration.

2000: Required agencies to communicate in foreign languages. (Nov 2010)
Assure Mexico: no mass deportations. (Jun 2004)
In 50 years, US will have no majority race, like NYC now. (Oct 2002)
Reduce immigration backlog while maintaining quality. (Jul 2000)
Opposed Official English; strengthen bilingual education. (Jul 2000)
700 new Border Patrol agents; increased penalties on aliens. (Aug 1996)
Strict enforcement against illegal immigration. (Jan 1996)
We are richer for the energy & ideas of immigrants. (Jan 1996)

Bill Clinton on Jobs

Click here for 10 full quotes on Jobs OR other candidates on Jobs OR background on Jobs.

Democratic presidents have created more jobs than Republican. (Sep 2012)
American Jobs Act: prevent layoffs of teachers & cops. (Nov 2011)
Gov't pays reduced wages instead of layoffs. (Nov 2011)
1990s: Bottom 20% of earners saw wage increase of 24%. (Sep 2007)
1998: Highest employment rate since 1948. (Jan 2007)
$15B for jobs in poor communities. (Jun 2004)
1990: AFL-CIO refused endorsement; Locals endorsed anyway. (Jun 2004)
Increase minimum wage; allow more family leave. (Dec 2000)
22M new jobs; lowest unemployment since 1960s. (Jul 2000)
$3.2B for farm conservation programs. (Apr 2000)

Bill Clinton on Principles & Values

Click here for 171 full quotes on Principles & Values OR 6 older headlines OR other candidates on Principles & Values OR background on Principles & Values.

Always take the time to honor and respect the people. (Oct 2020)
2015: Encouraged Trump to run for President. (Apr 2020)
Lying about sex is not an abuse of presidential power. (Dec 2019)
2001: Pardoned Marc Rich on last day of presidency. (Apr 2018)
America comes through every fire a little stronger. (Apr 2015)
Good Friday Agreement ended the Troubles in Northern Ireland. (Jun 2014)
First US President to visit Northern Ireland. (Jun 2014)
Good Friday Agreement ended the Troubles in Northern Ireland. (Jun 2014)
Conflict makes good politics, but cooperation works. (Sep 2012)
America is an idea: play by the rules and pursue your dreams. (Nov 2011)
Liberal and Conservations can learn from each other. (Nov 2011)
2012 voters should understand this recession is different. (Jan 2011)
2001: outgoing staff removed "W" from computer keyboards. (Nov 2010)
OpEd: MonicaGate sin was self-indulgence, not immorality. (Sep 2010)
Founders knew that America, to endure, would have to change. (Mar 2010)
All great contests are head games. (Jan 2010)
Exited office with peace, prosperity, & historic popularity. (Aug 2009)
OpEd: The ultimate surrogate campaigner, popular everywhere. (Aug 2009)
OpEd: Feeds on energy from personal contact with crowds. (Jun 2009)
OpEd: Won election by going where others unwilling to tread. (Sep 2008)
Rebuild the American dream and restore American leadership. (Aug 2008)
1992: Applied Reagan's method to his presidential transition. (Oct 2007)
Despite critics, fervent believer in policy solutions. (Jun 2007)
Promise of ethical reform invited harsh unceasing scrutiny. (Jun 2007)
When he set the agenda, he won; but scandals interfered. (Jun 2007)
OpEd: Fairy tale that Clinton emerged from nowhere in 1992. (Oct 2005)
Republicans have to portray Democrats as unacceptable to win. (Jul 2004)
Strength and wisdom are not opposing values. (Jul 2004)
Right wing ideology trumps compassionate conservatism. (Jun 2004)
First president to admit he participated in psychotherapy. (Feb 2003)
Awe & disappointment intertwined in Clinton staff. (Feb 2003)
OpEd: Sloppy personal habits reflected in sloppy policy. (Feb 2003)
Toni Morrison calls Clinton �first black president�. (Oct 2001)
Future: fiscally responsible; lead world; weave diversity. (Jan 2001)
Republicans won in 2000 by neutralizing issue of the economy. (Dec 2000)
Worked several jobs to pay for law school. (Aug 1999)
What�s right with America can fix what�s wrong with America. (Apr 1999)
OpEd: Able to make anyone feel comfortable and at home. (Sep 1997)
OpEd: core activity combines counterculture and McGovern. (Jan 1995)
$200 haircut scandal: accused of delaying airline flights. (Jun 1994)
Early Life
1955: attended church on his own accord at age 9. (Jul 2007)
1974:Turned down dairy money because it had strings attached. (Jun 2007)
1982 theme: �My daddy never had to whip me twice�. (Jun 2007)
From mother Virginia came stamina & gregariousness. (Jun 2007)
Born in 1946 in Hope Arkansas to a widowed mother. (Jun 2004)
Father�s death in traffic accident drove Bill to achieve. (Jun 2004)
Discovered a half-brother in 1993. (Jun 2004)
Father's early death left me with sense of my own mortality. (Jun 2004)
Father brought date to hospital where he met mother, a nurse. (Jun 2004)
Knew his father only through stories from family. (Jun 2004)
Father had two children from three previous secret marriages. (Jun 2004)
OpEd: Virginia an unlikely, but American, presidential mom. (Feb 2003)
Alcoholic dad may have defined Clinton�s personality. (Aug 1999)
Half siblings Henry & Sharron, by two different mothers. (Apr 1999)
His father committed bigamy by marrying his mother. (Apr 1999)
Hillary Clinton
Clintons were millions in debt when leaving White House. (Jun 2014)
1986: Made mocking bumper stickers "For First Lady". (Apr 2010)
Bill�s �let me think about it� meant �I�ll ask Hillary�. (Oct 2007)
Hillary more important as presidential adviser than Al Gore. (Oct 2007)
1992: This is not an arrangement; this is a marriage. (Oct 2007)
Don�t eliminate Hillary over �dynasty�; vote on her merits. (Sep 2007)
1986: Attacked for Hillary working at Rose while First Lady. (Jun 2007)
Met Hillary in 1970: impressed with strength, not appearance. (Jun 2007)
Start of �20-Year Project�:Hillary managed Bill�s House race. (Jun 2007)
OpEd: Marriage is a jet-set cosmopolitan arrangement. (Feb 2004)
Gave up job with McGovern 1972 campaign to follow Hillary. (Nov 2003)
Loves Hillary but has caused pain in their marriage. (Nov 2003)
Nature of Clinton marriage was abiding mystery of presidency. (Feb 2003)
OpEd: Appointing Hillary shows inappropriate boundaries. (Jun 2000)
Wanted to marry Hillary to avoid electoral problems. (May 2000)
Hillary�s coldness contributed to Bill�s infidelity. (Aug 1999)
Impeachment Scandal
International support for Clinton during impeachment. (Dec 2019)
Christianity Today 1998: Clinton morally unable to lead. (Dec 2019)
1998: Group of Democratic Senators asked Bill to resign. (Oct 2007)
Still angry at Ken Starr for tawdry details. (Jul 2007)
1996: faith community most scandalized by Easter liaison. (Jul 2007)
�What the meaning of is, is� became symbol of hairsplitting. (Jun 2007)
Expanding Whitewater to Lewinsky was a perjury trap. (Jun 2007)
Monica affair was �inappropriate� but not sex in legal terms. (Jun 2007)
$52M Whitewater investigation began on real estate; not sex. (Jun 2007)
Monica & impeachment propelled him to highest approval. (Jun 2007)
1994 Lincoln Bedroom Memo: "start overnights right away". (Jan 2007)
Asks forgiveness from Monica and her family. (Jun 2004)
Cites John 8:7 as defense against impeachment. (Jun 2004)
OpEd: too unconcerned with money to care about Whitewater. (Feb 2003)
OpEd: 1998 scandal: surplus of libido & deficit of integrity. (Feb 2003)
1998: Lewinsky affair upset GOP & press more than the public. (Feb 2003)
OpEd: Bill�s infidelity was enabled by state troopers. (Oct 2001)
Loses Supreme Court on sexual harassment lawsuit. (Oct 2001)
Accepted 5-year law license suspension in Paula Jones case. (Oct 2001)
Clinton disbarred from Supreme Court. (Oct 2001)
Acknowledges wrongdoing; pays fine; seeks closure. (Jan 2001)
OpEd: Monica opened discussion of Clinton's compulsions. (Jun 2000)
Tendency to lie results from being adult child of alcoholic. (Jun 2000)
Betsy Wright: Bill had female �fan base� nationwide. (Aug 1999)
The Star paid Gennifer Flowers for affair story. (Aug 1999)
Evidence disappeared in Whitewater scandal. (Aug 1999)
1995: Budget impasse caused federal shutdown & MonicaGate. (Jun 1999)
Arkansas trooper declined to cover up for Governor Clinton. (Jun 1999)
There IS no relationship with Monica, and WAS none. (Jun 1999)
Grounds for impeachment: lying & obstructing justice. (Sep 1998)
OpEd: Respond to MonicaGate by emphasizing big picture. (Jan 1998)
1987: Delayed presidential run to get their house in order. (Nov 1997)
OpEd: Whitewater? No; Clinton distrusted Jim Guy Tucker. (Sep 1997)
1992: Left AR financial mess for successor to clean up. (Sep 1997)
Personal History
Tears when grandchild born; carries her around home. (Apr 2015)
AdWatch 1992: successful intro ad as poor small-town boy. (May 2012)
OpEd: America elected Clinton knowing his personal history. (Nov 2010)
Clinton Standard Time: late to most appointments. (Jun 2009)
Clinton mystique: generates excitement & also generates cash. (Feb 2004)
OpEd: Denied problem of father's alcoholism. (Jun 2000)
OpEd: Clinton's love goes hand-in-hand with abuse. (Jun 1999)
OpEd: Rise to power epitomizes the American dream. (Sep 1997)
Attended Yale on a law school scholarship. (Aug 1993)
Political Philosophy
I should be the favorite of the Tea Party!. (Jan 2011)
Don't go to sleep with an unanswered negative out there. (Apr 2010)
OpEd: Triangulation worked but set up defeat in 2000. (Aug 2008)
Self-styled �New Democrat� to separate himself from liberals. (Oct 2007)
OpEd: Savors the sheer joy of the political game. (Oct 2007)
We define ourselves by allegiance to American values. (Oct 2007)
You can't win talking just to people who agree with you. (Oct 2005)
Developed the New Democrat Philosophy for 1992 campaign. (Jun 2004)
Regained popularity via "triangulation" with GOP Congress. (Feb 2004)
DLC echoed in U.K. by Tony Blair's "Third Way". (Nov 2003)
Recruited in 1989 as chair of Democratic Leadership Council. (Feb 2003)
Third Way Principles: opportunity, responsibility, community. (Feb 2003)
New Democrat from the New South. (Apr 1999)
1986 initiative: Good beginnings, Good schools, & Good jobs. (Nov 1997)
Character isn't the issue. (Sep 1997)
OpEd: Good on big picture, and backed up with details. (Apr 1996)
America stands today between hope and history. (Jan 1996)
OpEd: At his best when winning support to manage change. (Dec 1995)
New Covenant: responsibility, citizenship, opportunity. (Jan 1995)
New Covenant: Opportunity and responsibility go hand in hand. (Jan 1995)
Hope and opportunity: broad themes for presidency. (Jun 1994)
1991: Led "New Democrats" who rejected liberal orthodoxy. (Jun 1994)
Time for a change from the last 12 years. (Oct 1992)
Post-Presidential Legacy
Greatest legacy: set standard for connecting with electorate. (Mar 2010)
Why Harlem? "We won't let anything happen to that man". (Jun 2009)
Opens post-Presidential office in Harlem. (Feb 2001)
Turns over reins of leadership with America at its strongest. (Jan 2001)
Previous Campaigns
OpEd: Won with public focus on domestic over foreign issues. (Sep 2010)
1990: opponent's ad repeated Bill stating "raise and spend". (Apr 2010)
GOP lost when they put faith voter out of way in '92 & '96. (Nov 2008)
1996: swept Latino vote 70% to 21%; among young, 91% to 6%. (Oct 2007)
Spend retirement giving; politics is a "getting" business. (Sep 2007)
Founded �New Democrat� message in 1980 Convention speech. (Jun 2007)
1987: Declined chance to run; some say due to affairs. (Jun 2007)
1980: Became youngest ex-governor in US history. (Jan 2007)
1996: Legislative alliance with GOP Senate Leader Trent Lott. (Aug 2006)
Bush believes in his way, but history favors Clinton�s. (Jun 2004)
Key to 1992 success was timing of entry into race. (Feb 2004)
OpEd: 1994 loss resulted in adoption of GOP rhetoric. (Dec 2003)
OpEd: 1992 election represented moral & cultural sea change? (Dec 2003)
Nominated Dukakis at 1988 Convention; turned into fiasco. (Nov 2003)
Worked for Joe Lieberman's Senate campaign in 1970s. (Nov 2003)
Employed Dick Morris for gubernatorial & presidential races. (Nov 2003)
1992 staff called him "The Natural" after Redford movie. (Feb 2003)
1992: opponents failed to find disloyalty in Bill in Moscow. (Apr 1999)
1987: Delayed presidential run to get their house in order. (Nov 1997)
1991: Torn by promise not to run for president. (Nov 1997)
1991: Urged by AR Sen. David Pryor to run for president. (Nov 1997)
OpEd: 1988 DNC speech fiasco was to not overshadow Dukakis. (Nov 1997)
First Arkansan to run for President; set AR turnout record. (Sep 1997)
1988: Stayed neutral on Al Gore vs. Mike Dukakis primary. (Jun 1994)
Religion
Part of his �New Democrat� included religious Democrats. (Jul 2007)
Familiar with Bible & has genuine faith, say his pastors. (Jul 2007)
Learn from Creation what one must be. (Jun 2004)
Supports Hyde Park Declaration of "Third Way" centrism. (Aug 2000)
Member of Democratic Leadership Council. (Nov 2000)
New Democrat: "Third Way" instead of left-right debate. (Nov 2000)

Bill Clinton on Social Security

Click here for 7 full quotes on Social Security OR other candidates on Social Security OR background on Social Security.

Proposed a small portion of Trust Fund be in mutual funds. (Jun 2004)
Universal Savings Accounts: tax credits for private savings. (May 2002)
Before Social Security, being old meant being poor. (Jan 1999)
USA accounts: retirement security for the 21st century. (Jan 1999)
Create optional Individual Development Accounts. (Aug 1996)
Safeguard retirement plans and minimize risk. (Jan 1996)
Create Retirement Savings Accounts. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on Tax Reform

Click here for 19 full quotes on Tax Reform OR other candidates on Tax Reform OR background on Tax Reform.

Restrain spending AND raise taxes to reduce debt. (Nov 2011)
Cutting taxes for the rich hurts deficit and future. (Jan 2011)
2000: Vetoed abolition of the Marriage Tax. (Apr 2008)
Reneged on promise to address "forgotten middle class". (Oct 2007)
OpEd: Broke campaign promise by tax rise & no spending cuts. (May 2006)
My tax cut is the sacrifice of all of us. (Jul 2004)
Never thought I�d be so well cared for by the Republicans. (Jul 2004)
Republican tax cut was too big & too bloated. (Jun 2004)
Proposed raising taxes on rich even if no revenue increase. (Dec 2003)
Bush tax cuts are fiscally irresponsible in long run. (Oct 2003)
1990s: IRS, led by Yale Law classmate, targeted critics. (May 2000)
1980: Broaden tax base or we have to cut services. (Nov 1999)
OpEd: 1993 budget included mostly progressive taxation. (Jun 1997)
Target tax cuts on IRAs, education, & families. (Jan 1996)
Across-the-board tax cuts are irresponsible. (Jan 1996)
New Covenant for Economic Change: middle class tax cuts. (Jun 1994)
Refused pledge for middle-class tax cut. (Jun 1994)
Increase taxes on top 1.2%; and on no one else. (Jan 1994)
Raise taxes on income over $200K; reduce taxes under $60K. (Oct 1992)

Bill Clinton on Technology

Click here for 17 full quotes on Technology OR other candidates on Technology OR background on Technology.

Invest in infrastructure including social infrastructure. (Nov 2011)
Speed up process for approving infrastructure projects. (Nov 2011)
More high-speed trains, at higher speeds. (Nov 2011)
1990s: Partner with automakers to develop high-mileage cars. (Sep 2007)
1996: Parents control kids' TV access with V-chip. (Jun 2004)
1995: Tax-free Internet policy spread from US to world. (Feb 2003)
Vision to transform from Industrial Age to Information Age. (Feb 2003)
Bridge the Digital Divide via access & training. (Jun 2000)
$200M more for National Space Program. (Jun 2000)
New Protections for Privacy of Electronic Medical Records. (May 2000)
Next generation Internet lets the world explore cyberspace. (Jan 1998)
Fund $20B a year for transportation & communication network. (Aug 1996)
Mission to Planet Earth plus unmanned probes. (Aug 1996)
Connect every library and classroom to the Internet. (Jan 1996)
V-Chip lets parents self-screen TV. (Jan 1996)
Jump start economy by fast-track highway & loan spending. (Jun 1994)
Chief information officer to digitize federal government. (Aug 2000)

Bill Clinton on War & Peace

Click here for 30 full quotes on War & Peace OR other candidates on War & Peace OR background on War & Peace.

ISIS would not be in Iraq if we had not invaded. (Jun 2014)
1998: Signed Iraq Liberation Act calling for Saddam's ouster. (Aug 2011)
1993: NATO air strikes on Serbs only with European support. (Oct 2010)
1998: Seriously diminish threat posed by Iraqi WMDs. (Oct 2010)
1994 North Korea Framework Agreement largely observed. (Jun 2010)
1998: They called me 'obsessed' for going after bin Laden. (Nov 2009)
Claims he opposed Iraq war from the beginning. (Nov 2007)
1991:Claimed he wasn't drafted; 1992: induction notice found. (Oct 2007)
1969: Navigated draft maze; never quite clear on deferment. (Jun 2007)
2000 plan: Palestinians retain 97% of West Bank. (Jan 2007)
1998: Rejected overthrowing Saddam as US policy. (Aug 2004)
Unexpextedly, Kosovo bombing worked. (Jun 2004)
1992: Bombed Iraq to retaliate for Bush assassination plot. (Jun 2004)
Bombed Iraq on eve of impeachment vote. (Nov 2003)
Most Democrats supported Bush on Iraq. (Oct 2003)
Cruise-missile attack on Sudan & Afghanistan praised by GOP. (Feb 2003)
Accepted Bush policy: Saddam better than instability. (Feb 2003)
Regrets tactics used in Somalia. (Feb 2003)
1995: Launched aerial assault against the Bosnian Serbs. (Feb 2003)
OpEd: Aided Saddam even after he gassed the Kurds. (Mar 2002)
Legal ban on assassinations doesn�t apply to bin Laden. (Nov 2001)
Visited Vietnam to �honor sacrifice on both sides�. (Oct 2001)
Claimed it a �fluke� he wasn�t drafted in 1968. (Oct 2001)
Support Wye River Accords & other peace talks. (Dec 2000)
Combat terrorism; contain Iraq; develop oil. (Dec 2000)
Kosovo: led NATO alliance to end ethnic cleansing. (Dec 2000)
Reluctant but willing to use round forces in Kosovo. (Apr 1999)
Bottom line on Saddam: unfettered repeat inspections. (Feb 1998)
Today, not a single Russian missile is pointed at America. (Jan 1995)
No troops to Bosnia, but no-fly zone & blockade. (Oct 1992)

Bill Clinton on Welfare & Poverty

Click here for 27 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty OR other candidates on Welfare & Poverty OR background on Welfare & Poverty.

We're in this together better than "You're on your own". (Sep 2012)
Expand Home Affordable Refinance Programs to millions. (Nov 2011)
Social & economic mobility depend on equalizing opportunity. (Nov 2011)
American workers are working harder for less. (Aug 2008)
1992: People who work hard & play by rules shouldn't be poor. (Aug 2008)
OpEd: Welfare measured by rolls, not by situation of poor. (Aug 2008)
Clinton Global Initiative: partnering donors with problems. (Sep 2007)
Welfare reform succeeded because of focus on jobs. (Sep 2007)
Promote innovative ideas and "social entrepreneurs". (Sep 2007)
Organize market to produce benefits from "public goods". (Sep 2007)
If wealthiest 1% gave away 5% of income, we'd meet all goals. (Sep 2007)
Biblically-inspired social justice, especially serving poor. (Jul 2007)
Reform attacked by Christian left; but genuine middle ground. (Jul 2007)
Opened office in Harlem Empowerment Zone. (Jan 2007)
Make welfare pro-work and pro-family. (Nov 2003)
Keep estate tax to encourage philanthropy. (Oct 2003)
Expanded the EITC from $15.9 to $21.2 billion. (Feb 2003)
Create "New Markets" in impoverished areas. (Feb 2003)
Welfare reform significantly reduced unmarried child-raising. (Feb 2003)
Help Low-income Fathers Support their Children. (Sep 2000)
End welfare as we know it. (Sep 2000)
The "E" in EITC is about earning: so reduce marriage penalty. (Jan 2000)
Address Homelessness via federal, state, & county govt. (Jun 1999)
Transfer 10% of federal housing to churches, for homeless. (Aug 1996)
Welfare-to-work, instead of welfare as a way of life. (Jan 1996)
Welfare reform includes states, communities, & businesses. (Jan 1996)
Finish welfare reform by moving able recipients into jobs. (Aug 2000)

VoteMatch Responses (Click here for VoteMatch quiz)
VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background)	Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Favors topic 1: Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right (+5 points on Social scale)	Let women decide with their doctor and their God: Strongly Favors topic 1 Roe v. Wade was the right decision: Strongly Favors topic 1 1993: allowed abortions on overseas U.S. military bases: Strongly Favors topic 1 Require Medicaid to pay for abortions for poor women: Strongly Favors topic 1 Revoke Mexico City Policy: family planning ok in foreign aid: Favors topic 1 1993: Rescind Mexico City Policy: fund abortion abroad: Favors topic 1 Allow medical research that uses tissue from aborted fetuses: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2: Legally require hiring women & minorities (-5 points on Economic scale)	Help minority- and women-owned businesses compete: Strongly Favors topic 2 Affirmative action: mend it, don�t end it: Favors topic 2 1996: Supported affirmative action despite its unpopularity: Strongly Favors topic 2 OpEd: Clinton administration has a love affair with quotas: Strongly Favors topic 2 Affirmative Action is still an effective tool: Strongly Favors topic 2 Affirmative action is a moral imperative: Strongly Favors topic 2 Women should get equal pay for equal work: Strongly Favors topic 2 Do the hard work of bridging racial divisions: Strongly Favors topic 2 1997: Lead a great and unprecedented conversation on race: Strongly Favors topic 2 Unlike most white politicians, didn't need Jesse Jackson: Strongly Favors topic 2 Shift from group preferences to economic empowerment of all: Neutral on topic 2
Favors topic 3: Support transgender and LGBTQ+ rights (+2 points on Social scale)	Include sexual orientation in Hate Crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3 End Discrimination Against People With AIDS: Favors topic 3 First President to appoint open gays: Favors topic 3 1993: Issued gays-in-military policy �don�t ask, don�t tell�: Strongly Favors topic 3 Overturn DOMA; it provided an excuse for discrimination: Strongly Favors topic 3 Promised open gays in military; but compromised with DADT: Strongly Opposes topic 3 Focus National Efforts on an AIDS Vaccine: Favors topic 3
Favors topic 4: America was founded on Christian values (-3 points on Social scale)	Need not leave religion at the schoolhouse door: Favors topic 4 Private student prayer OK; but no official school prayer: Strongly Opposes topic 4 Address Homelessness via federal, state, & county govt: Opposes topic 4 End welfare as we know it: Favors topic 4 Welfare-to-work, instead of welfare as a way of life: Favors topic 4 Welfare reform includes states, communities, & businesses: Opposes topic 4 Transfer 10% of federal housing to churches, for homeless: Strongly Favors topic 4
Strongly Favors topic 5: Expand ObamaCare (-5 points on Economic scale)	Do more for health insurance: Favors topic 5 Universal coverage would reduce bureaucratic costs: Favors topic 5 Loosen eligibility for disability benefits: Favors topic 5 Compromise on delivery methods to preserve full healthcare: Strongly Favors topic 5 ObamaCare has already insured millions and reduced costs: Strongly Favors topic 5 ObamaCare has already insured millions and reduced costs: Strongly Favors topic 5 1990s plan: affordable, competitive, universal healthcare: Strongly Favors topic 5 Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care: Favors topic 5
Favors topic 6: Privatize Social Security (+2 points on Economic scale)	Safeguard retirement plans and minimize risk: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Proposed a small portion of Trust Fund be in mutual funds: Favors topic 6 Create optional Individual Development Accounts: Favors topic 6 USA accounts: retirement security for the 21st century: Favors topic 6 Create Retirement Savings Accounts: Favors topic 6
Opposes topic 7: Vouchers for school choice (-3 points on Economic scale)	Expand public school choice and public charter schools: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Reward best public schools; redesign failing ones: Opposes topic 7 Pushed for voluntary national school standards: Favors topic 7 Goals 2000: public school choice & character education: Favors topic 7 Favors parental choice in childcare & in education: Favors topic 7 Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice: Opposes topic 7
Strongly Opposes topic 8: Businesses have a right to pollute (+5 points on Social scale)	Climate change is existential threat to civilization: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Wind, solar, and retrofits create more jobs than coal: Opposes topic 8 False choice between economy and environment: Opposes topic 8 Much left to do on clean air, water, & environment: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Lowered arsenic levels in drinking water: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Throw corporate polluters in jail: Strongly Opposes topic 8 No net loss wetlands policy: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Favors topic 9: Stricter punishment reduces crime (-3 points on Social scale)	Crime has dropped, but US is still not safe enough: Favors topic 9 Three Strikes and You�re Out for violent criminals: Strongly Favors topic 9 Death penalty for 60 violent crimes: Favors topic 9 More police, punishment, & prevention: Strongly Favors topic 9 Approved Arkansas execution of mentally retarded black man: Strongly Favors topic 9 Expand the death penalty: Strongly Favors topic 9 1994 crime bill funded basketball instead of real problem: Opposes topic 9 More community police; more prison construction: Favors topic 9 End over-imprisonment for non-serious crimes: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Get tough on youth violence and gangs: Favors topic 9 Establish a national registry of sex offenders: Favors topic 9 Triple funding for battered women's shelters: Favors topic 9
Strongly Opposes topic 10: Absolute right to gun ownership (-5 points on Economic scale)	Background checks have prevented 179,000 illegal gun sales: Opposes topic 10 Support Brady Bill, oppose assault weapons: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Five-day waiting period and instant background check: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Assault Weapons Ban resulted in 18% decline in use in crimes: Strongly Opposes topic 10 People should register guns like they register cars: Strongly Opposes topic 10 Prevent unauthorized firearm use with "smart gun" technology: Opposes topic 10
Strongly Favors topic 11: Higher taxes on the wealthy (-5 points on Economic scale)	Cut the deficit to lower interest rates: Neutral on topic 11 Most millionaires don�t mind less tax cut to protect the US: Strongly Favors topic 11 Target tax cuts on IRAs, education, & families: Favors topic 11 Across-the-board tax cuts are irresponsible: Strongly Favors topic 11 My tax cut is the sacrifice of all of us: Favors topic 11 Restrain spending AND raise taxes to reduce debt: Strongly Favors topic 11 Cutting taxes for the rich hurts deficit and future: Strongly Favors topic 11 Refused pledge for middle-class tax cut: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Bush tax cuts are fiscally irresponsible in long run: Strongly Favors topic 11 Increase taxes on top 1.2%; and on no one else: Strongly Favors topic 11
Favors topic 12: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens (+2 points on Social scale)	Reduce immigration backlog while maintaining quality: Favors topic 12 Opposed Official English; strengthen bilingual education: Strongly Favors topic 12 Strict enforcement against illegal immigration: Opposes topic 12 We are richer for the energy & ideas of immigrants: Strongly Favors topic 12 Assure Mexico: no mass deportations: Favors topic 12 700 new Border Patrol agents; increased penalties on aliens: Strongly Opposes topic 12
Strongly Favors topic 13: Support & expand free trade (+5 points on Economic scale)	On balance, trade creates jobs: Favors topic 13 Support NAFTA & GATT: build bridges, not walls: Strongly Favors topic 13 1993: NAFTA passed, but at a high price of dividing Dems: Favors topic 13 Export more services; get to emerging opportunities: Strongly Favors topic 13 For NAFTA with enforcement and job training: Favors topic 13 Completed the Reagan-Bush achievements on NAFTA: Strongly Favors topic 13 NAFTA increased exports to Mexico by 11%: Strongly Favors topic 13 1995: Determined to open Japanese auto market: Favors topic 13 OpEd: supporting NAFTA was sellout to corporate America: Strongly Opposes topic 13 Build a rule-based global trading system: Favors topic 13
Strongly Opposes topic 14: Stay away from the UN & Globalism (-5 points on Economic scale)	Bush missed opportunity to unite US and the world: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Bush�s unilateralism strains international partnerships: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Routinely provide intelligence info to the UN: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Implement Brahimi report: work towards UN standing army: Strongly Opposes topic 14 US must not disentangle itself from the world: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Support Wye River Accords & other peace talks: Strongly Opposes topic 14
Opposes topic 15: Peace through Strength (+2 points on Social scale)	Strategy: strength, peace, and open trade: Neutral on topic 15 Decrease force size but increase quality: Opposes topic 15 START II: 25% reduction in nuclear arsenals: Opposes topic 15 Cut the $245B defense budget: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Reduce US forces in Europe to 100,000 troops: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Better to be wrong & strong than weak & right: Favors topic 15
Strongly Favors topic 16: Make voter registration easier (+5 points on Social scale)	1993: Proposed (and failed at) campaign finance reform: Favors topic 16 End soft money; cap political spending: Strongly Favors topic 16 Curb campaign spending & ban contributions from noncitizens: Strongly Favors topic 16 Free TV time to candidates for public office: Strongly Favors topic 16
Favors topic 17: Stay out of foreign wars (+2 points on Social scale)	Engagement over escapism and isolation: Favors topic 17 Support forces of reform in Russia: Strongly Favors topic 17 Devise NATIONAL policy, not foreign vs. domestic: Favors topic 17 US must not disentangle itself from the world: Strongly Favors topic 17 Combat terrorism; contain Iraq; develop oil: Favors topic 17 Claims he opposed Iraq war from the beginning: Strongly Favors topic 17 1998: Rejected overthrowing Saddam as US policy: Strongly Favors topic 17 OpEd: Aided Saddam even after he gassed the Kurds: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Most Democrats supported Bush on Iraq: Favors topic 17 ISIS would not be in Iraq if we had not invaded: Strongly Favors topic 17 1998: Seriously diminish threat posed by Iraqi WMDs: Opposes topic 17 Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence: Favors topic 17
Strongly Favors topic 18: Prioritize green energy (-5 points on Economic scale)	Climate change: more biomass, more efficiency: Strongly Favors topic 18 Need binding treaties on global warming: Strongly Favors topic 18 1997: Signed Kyoto Protocol on global warming: Strongly Favors topic 18 $1 trillion global market for clean energy: Favors topic 18 Helped negotiate Kyoto Treaty on climate change: Strongly Favors topic 18 Tax incentive to produce 80 mpg superefficient cars: Strongly Favors topic 18 False choice between economy and environment: Favors topic 18 Much left to do on clean air, water, & environment: Favors topic 18 Increase fuel efficiency from 27 mpg to 40 mpg: Strongly Favors topic 18 Supports tradable emissions permits for greenhouse gases: Favors topic 18
Favors topic 19: Marijuana is a gateway drug (-3 points on Social scale)	$195M National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign: Favors topic 19 Drug strategy to reduce both supply and demand: Favors topic 19 Fight war on drugs in all of the Andean states: Opposes topic 19 OpEd: "War on Drugs" included gum package labeling: Opposes topic 19 Stop the flow of illegal money to Colombia Cali cartel: Strongly Favors topic 19 My brother would not be alive today if drugs were legal: Favors topic 19 DARE to have drug-free schools: Favors topic 19 Medical marijuana ok; leave recreational pot to the states: Opposes topic 19
Favors topic 20: Stimulus better than market-led recovery (-3 points on Economic scale)	First modern Pres.to use fiscal discipline to balance budget: Opposes topic 20 Republicans cut taxes for the rich & deregulate banks: Favors topic 20 Gov't has role in security, social services, & oversight: Strongly Favors topic 20 Republican tax cut was too big & too bloated: Favors topic 20 Proposed raising taxes on rich even if no revenue increase: Favors topic 20 Restrain spending AND raise taxes to reduce debt: Favors topic 20 1980: Broaden tax base or we have to cut services: Strongly Favors topic 20

Bill Clinton is a Populist-Leaning Liberal
(Click for details)

Click here for VoteMatch quiz.

Contact Bill_Clinton:

* Official Contacts [Title5]
* Candidate Profile

* Contact OnTheIssues:

submit @ OnTheIssues . org
OnTheIssues reports on issues, and has no contacts with campaigns except as linked above.
Mail

Contact:
On The Issues
1770 Massachusetts Ave. #630
Cambridge, MA 02140

Written by
WebMerchants

Reproduction of material from any OnTheIssues.org pages without written permission is prohibited.
Copyright © 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org , all rights reserved.
OnTheIssues.org 1770 Massachusetts Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140

E-mail us at:submit at OnTheIssues.org (Editorial staff, for news and corrections)
Business information (Dr. Naomi Lichtenberg, for partnerships and advertising)
Political information (Jesse Gordon, for content and technical matters)
About Us (We report about campaigns; please don't write us if you want to reach any campaign!)

Newsletter Signup
Email:

Zip:


Or click for More Info.

Error processing SSI file

1990s Policies

Political Philosophy

Post-presidential Policies

Early Life

Hillary Clinton

Impeachment Scandal

Personal History

Political Philosophy

Post-Presidential Legacy

Previous Campaigns

Religion

Contact Bill_Clinton:

* Contact OnTheIssues: