William Jefferson Clinton has been extraordinarily effective. His greatest accomplishments include reversing almost two decades of accumulated deficits and mounting national debt -- Not only a balanced federal budget, but a surplus of $127 billion -- As well as the creation of more than 22 million new jobs, a homeownership rate increase, lowest unemployment rate in thirty years, higher incomes at all levels, lowest government spending as a percentage of GDP since 1974, and higher stock ownership by families. Clinton's second term, sadly, became dominated by accusations of marital infidelity, perjury, and obstruction of justice -- His reputation was severly damaged when he lied to cover up an affair (a private matter) with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern -- Although President Clinton's private life didn't get in the way of his presidency, his presidency got in the way of his private life, and even though it had no effect on national prosperity, for a number of people that's the only part they choose to remember.

I am no fan of William Jefferson Clinton but I have to admit he did manage to balance the budget and create a surplus for the first time in decades. His biggest mistake was choosing to lie under oath about his infidelities. If he had just come clean and admitted to being a manwhore he would have saved the american public alot of time and money that went into the attempt to impeach him in his second term.

The surplus was already there when Clinton took office. The U.S. economy was on an upswing. Nothing the Clinton administration did was responsible for it. But it did not last. U.S. corporations outsourced more jobs to foreign countries during his tenure than at any other previous time. No incentives were given for them not to. Illegal immigration soared, increasing social services and education costs by billions and stifling wages for US citizens. Border security was reduced. Terrorism increased and the security agencies and military were curtailed in their ability to combat it. The Balkan War dragged on and on, partly because of Clinton's indeciciveness, waffling, and inability to work with other members of the coalition. He was totally out of his element as a Commander in Chief of the military. The very term is ludicrous when applied to him. Many top notch advisors left in disgust. And his sexual escapades in the Oval Office of the White House (and elsewhere) were hardly "private matters". He was an embarrassment to most Americans, who lost more confidence in him. "How much does he have his mind on his job when he is sitting there?" Al Gore's defeat was largely because of his association with that administration, however indirect. Gore said so himself, privately. Sad, but true.

Nothing positive comes to mind. "Slick Willie" was the 2nd President to be Impeached <athough acquitted by the Senate in a partisan 45-55 (perjury), 50-50 (obstruction of justice) vote.> 2. He was the first President to be held in contempt of court. 3. The first President to give perjured testimony before a federal grand jury (and in a civil deposition) 4. He failed to keep his his promise to create a national health insurance program. 5.The bombing of a medical factory in Sudan is perhaps the best example of the many Foreign Policy blunders of the Clinton Administration. 6. Signed the Helms-Burton Act (described as the dumbest law ever written by the Congress) effectively tieing America's hands in dealing with Cuba. 7. Unexplained murders of his staff and others. 8. Waco, Ruby Ridge and smoking and not inhaling, "I never had sex with that woman," I could go on, but you get the point.

He did a lot of good for us. Gas prices wasnt high and the budget was manage very well. Of course with the Monica Lewinsky affair that was the terrible negative. Overall, he was a very caring and intelligent President.

Clinton's economic accomplishments include the creation of more than 22 million new jobs, a homeownership rate increase, the lowest unemployment in 30 years, higher incomes at all levels, lowest government spending as a percentage of GDP since 1974, and higher stock ownership by families. His biggest mistake is called Monica, but that didn't affect me.