I'm writing a paper about Clinton where I have to answer questions like how he used formal powers, what things did he do to achieve his goals, etc. . . I was hoping somebody could recommend an objective book or article that looks at things like Clinton's policy goals, what did he get passed, what failed(like healthcare), and maybe something with quotes from collegues. Any help would be appreciated.
Bwahaha! Sorry, Oski2005. I am taking you seriously, but it seems to take at *least* a decade before anything objective comes out about any presidency. Sad, but understandable and true. You might just have to do a lot of your own digging and sifting, despinning and what-not. Good luck! It's a worthy assignment.
Yeah, I know, I regret having picked him already. I don't need much, I already have 6 ok sources. I just need anything that will clarify what his goals were going in and how well he did at passing them. My guess is, any book that is about the american presidency that gets used in college classes might have some good stuff on Clinton.
from this website You can talk about the last minute pardons that he handed out, those are part of his formal powers. Also, when the government was shut down due to the budget dispute, I am sure Clinton used some powers to force legislators to stay in session.
his goals going in will be on his Democratic Convention platform and in his innauguration speech. You can also look up his State of the Union Addresses. Didn't he actually give a name to his first 100 days. Then you cross check this with bills that he got passed or summation of the Budgets that got passed. After the midterm elections, look for his goals under the "Middle Class Bill of Rights" that he used to counter the Republican's "Contract With America." Also, don't forget the big Veto showdown with the Republican where is stopped the Budget from getting passed to the point they were reporting that the Govt would run out of money. You should be able to find articles regarding what aspect of that Budget he was veto-ing, and what parts were taking out or put in as a bi-partisan agreement. another thing is his appointments. You can look what he achieved through his appointments.
Ahh, the pardons, totally slipped my mind when I wrote my first draft. I already know the powers of the prez, formal and informal, I am a poli sci major by the way. Thanks for the help though, I appreciate it.
Make sure you include the promised "middle class tax cut". I guess that would go under 'unachieved goals'. Also when he shut down the government and blamed the other side.
the middle class tax cut was reason #1 i voted for him in 92...his complete loss of interest for it after he was elected prompted me to vote a straight party republican ticket in 1994. i haven't looked back since!
Even more of an aside, Oski, have you checked out a documentary called "The War Room?" It's about his original campaign. Lot of Carville and Stefanopolis (sp), strategery, things like that. Very entertaining.
He made widespread use of Executive Orders. It was even a source of contention between the President and Congress.
Thanks guys, but I think I got it straight now. Searching for books on the universities catolog is the pits. I just did a simple search on Clinton at Barnes and Noble's website, searched the exact titles, and found two nice books to work with. The Presidential Difference: leadership style from FDR to Clinton The Clinton presidency : images, issues, and communication strategies (it's got 10 essays that where "experts in communication and presidential studies analyze the rhetoric, images, issues, and communication strategies employed by the president")
Good luck on your paper. Even though I loathe the person you are writing about, I'll bet your paper will be an interesting read. Sounds like you've got some excellent analytical materials.
Speaking of Newt, how long has he been blurbing Carville and Begala books?? I appreciate him sharing his opinions, but it makes you wonder what the hell happened behind the scenes, since Carville and Begala probably helped coordinate handing Newt his ass.
As an aside...I don't mind Carville. I don't agree with his politics, but he knows how to take a shot at himself when he sees it appropriate. I can't stand Paul Begala. He's an arrogant, smug jackass.
We really are going to have to show you a good time on Friday, aren't we?!?! TheFreak, I'm sure many could argue that it was just as much the Republicans fault as it was Clinton's. An independent like yourself would know that.
Except that the Republicans didn't shut the government down. I don't like Clinton, by the way. Never claimed to be impartial when it comes to the Clintons.
