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Love him or hate him, and there are plenty on both sides of the ledger, Bill Clinton was the defining American personality of the 1990s. When the decade began, Clinton's name was barely known outside the confines of Arkansas politics. By the time the 1990s had come to a close, Clinton was one of the most recognized and powerful figures in the world.
After leaving Arkansas for Georgetown, Oxford and Yale Law School, Clinton returned to his roots and immediately began to pursue his career in politics. Just five years out of law school, Clinton was elected Governor.
Clinton stunned the world in 1992, beating out George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot for the presidency. In 1996, he became the first Democratic President since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second term. His tumultuous presidency was marked by both achievements and shortcomings.
During his presidency, the largest deficit in history turned into a budget surplus. By the time Clinton left office, over 20 million new jobs had been created, resulting in the lowest unemployment levels in 30 years. Internationally, he brokered the Oslo Accords, bringing the best hopes for peace in the Middle East in decades, and also was instrumental in ending the oppressive regime of Slobodan Milosevic.
What could have been remembered as a great presidency was tarnished by his affair with Monica Lewinsky. The affair led to Clinton's impeachment and subsequent acquittal in the Senate.
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