Clinton, William Jefferson (1946–)

William Jefferson Clinton was the 42nd president of the United States. He held office from 1993 to 2001. Prior to his election as president, Clinton served one term as Arkansas attorney general (1977–1979). He was governor of Arkansas for 5 terms, elected in 1978, lost in 1980, and reelected in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1990. Clinton was among the wave of young progressive Southern Democrats who began to change the face of the Old South.

In 1992, Clinton won the presidency, defeating incumbent George H. W. Bush and Reform Party candidate Ross Perot with 43% of the popular vote. He was reelected in 1996, defeating Republican Robert Dole and Ross Perot with 49% of the popular vote.

As the first post-cold war president, Clinton campaigned on domestic ...