Challenges Faced by Bill Clinton: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Bill Clinton. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Bill Clinton served as the 42nd U.S. President from 1993 to 2001. A Democrat, he previously served as Arkansas's Attorney General and Governor. His political ideology, known as "Clintonism", centered on a centrist "Third Way" approach. This philosophy significantly shaped his presidency and influenced the Democratic Party for decades.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1968: Educational Draft Deferment

During the Vietnam War, Bill Clinton received educational draft deferments while he was in England in 1968.

October 1969: Vietnam War Protest

In October 1969, Bill Clinton organized a Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam event while at Oxford.

1971: Frank Aller's Suicide

In 1971, Frank Aller's suicide had an influential impact on Bill Clinton.

1978: Alleged Rape by Clinton

In the spring of 1978, Juanita Broaddrick alleges that Bill Clinton raped her, although she could not recall the exact date. Broaddrick claimed to have told multiple witnesses in 1978 she had been raped by Clinton.

1980: Unpopular Motor Vehicle Tax and Cuban Refugee Anger

In 1980, Governor Clinton's term was marked by an unpopular motor vehicle tax and public anger over the escape of Cuban refugees detained in Fort Chaffee. Monroe Schwarzlose garnered 31% of the vote against Clinton in the Democratic gubernatorial primary of 1980, foreshadowing Clinton's defeat by Republican Frank D. White in the general election.

1985: Half-Brother Roger Sentenced

In 1985, Bill Clinton's half-brother Roger was sentenced to prison for possession and smuggling of cocaine.

1987: Don Henry and Kevin Ives Killing

In 1987, the killing of Don Henry and Kevin Ives started conspiracy theories that accused Bill Clinton and Arkansas authorities of a cover-up.

1988: Democratic National Convention Address

In 1988, Bill Clinton gave the opening night address at the Democratic National Convention; however, his speech was criticized for being too long.

1991: Alleged unwanted advances towards Paula Jones

In 1991, President Clinton allegedly made unwanted advances towards Paula Jones, which later led to a sexual harassment lawsuit in 1994.

1992: Draft Controversy During Campaign

During the 1992 campaign, it was revealed that Bill Clinton's uncle had attempted to secure him a position in the Navy Reserve. Clinton's actions regarding the draft were criticized.

1992: ROTC Application Controversy

During the 1992 presidential campaign, Colonel Eugene Holmes stated that he suspected Bill Clinton attempted to manipulate the situation to avoid the draft.

January 20, 1993: Inauguration as President

On January 20, 1993, Bill Clinton was inaugurated as the 42nd president of the United States. However, his early presidency was marked by an inexperienced staff and a series of missteps.

May 19, 1993: Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office

On May 19, 1993, Bill Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office, leading to the White House travel office controversy.

September 22, 1993: Clinton's Speech to Congress on Health Care Reform

On September 22, 1993, President Clinton addressed Congress to present a health care reform plan aimed at achieving universal coverage through a national health care system. The proposal, spearheaded by Hillary Clinton, faced strong opposition and ultimately failed.

November 1993: David Hale's allegation against Bill Clinton

In November 1993, David Hale alleged that while Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas, Clinton pressured him to provide an illegal $300,000 loan to Susan McDougal.

1993: Clinton pressured Western European leaders regarding Bosnian Serbs

In 1993, Bill Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy against Bosnian Serbs during the Bosnian War.

1993: Kathleen Willey Allegation

In 1993, Kathleen Willey alleged that Bill Clinton had groped her in a hallway. An independent counsel later determined Willey provided "false information" to the FBI.

1993: Battle of Mogadishu

In 1993, during the Battle of Mogadishu, two U.S. helicopters were shot down by rocket-propelled grenade attacks, trapping soldiers behind enemy lines, resulting in 18 American soldiers killed and 73 wounded.

April 1994: Genocide broke out in Rwanda

In April 1994, genocide broke out in Rwanda and Bill Clinton chose not to intervene, fearing a reprisal of the events in Somalia.

August 1994: Failure of the national health care system bill

In August 1994, the effort to create a national health care system ultimately failed when compromise legislation by George J. Mitchell failed to gain a majority of support. This defeat marked the first major legislative setback for the Clinton administration.

1994: Clinton pressured Western European leaders regarding Bosnian Serbs

In 1994, Bill Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy against Bosnian Serbs during the Bosnian War.

1994: Paula Jones initiates lawsuit against Clinton

In 1994, Paula Jones initiated a sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton, claiming that he had made unwanted advances towards her in 1991.

1994: Democrats lose control of Congress

In 1994, the Democratic Party lost control of Congress to the Republicans in the mid-term elections, marking the first time in forty years that the Republicans had a majority.

1994: Defeat of National Democrats

Leading up to the 1996 presidential election, Clinton's chances of being re-elected initially seemed slim, partially due to the lopsided defeat of national Democrats in the 1994 elections.

1995: Approval Rating Dips and Rebounds

In early 1995, Bill Clinton's approval rating dipped as low as 40 percent, leading to suggestions he drop out of the race. However, by mid-1995, public opinion improved due to a rebounding economy.

June 1996: White House FBI files controversy arose

In June 1996, the White House FBI files controversy arose concerning improper access by the White House to FBI security-clearance documents.

November 1996: Clinton narrowly escapes possible assassination in the Philippines

In November 1996, President Clinton narrowly avoided a potential assassination attempt in the Philippines, involving a bridge bomb planted by al-Qaeda and masterminded by Osama bin Laden.

1996: Chinese foreigners made contributions to Clinton's reelection campaign

In 1996, it was found that several Chinese foreigners made contributions to Bill Clinton's reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee, which violated United States law.

1996: Employment Non-Discrimination Act fails to pass in the Senate

In 1996, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which was advocated for by President Clinton, failed to pass the Senate by a single vote.

February 1997: Donors stayed in the White House

In February 1997, it was discovered that 938 people had stayed at the White House and that 821 of them had made donations to the Democratic Party and got the opportunity to stay in the Lincoln bedroom as a result of the donations, including Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Jane Fonda, and Judy Collins.

March 19, 1998: Julie Hiatt Steele Accusation

On March 19, 1998, Julie Hiatt Steele, a friend of Kathleen Willey, released an affidavit accusing Willey of asking her to lie and corroborate Willey's account of being sexually groped by Bill Clinton in the Oval Office.

April 1998: Dismissal of Paula Jones' sexual harassment lawsuit

In April 1998, Judge Susan Webber Wright initially dismissed Paula Jones' sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton on the grounds that it lacked legal merit. Jones later appealed this ruling.

August 1998: Clinton admits to affair with Monica Lewinsky

In August 1998, President Clinton admitted to having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, which gained traction for Paula Jones' appeal in her sexual harassment lawsuit against him.

October 1998: Settlement offer in Paula Jones lawsuit

In October 1998, President Clinton's attorneys tentatively offered $700,000 to settle the Paula Jones sexual harassment case, which was then the $800,000 which Jones' lawyers sought. Clinton later agreed to an out-of-court settlement and paid Jones $850,000 to end the lawsuit.

December 1998: House began impeachment hearings against Clinton

In December 1998, the House of Representatives began impeachment hearings against Bill Clinton before the mid-term elections.

December 19, 1998: Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives

On December 19, 1998, Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice.

1998: Juanita Broaddrick Allegation

In 1998, Juanita Broaddrick alleged that Bill Clinton had raped her in the spring of 1978. Broaddrick stated that she had told multiple witnesses about the rape in 1978.

1998: Impeachment proceedings

In 1998, President Clinton faced impeachment proceedings, which ultimately led to his highest approval rating.

1998: Lewinsky Scandal Impact

In 1998, the Lewinsky scandal had an enduring impact on Clinton's legacy. The scandal's impact extends beyond his impeachment.

January 1999: Impeachment Trial Begins

In January 1999, Bill Clinton's impeachment trial began in the Senate.

May 1999: American bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade

In May 1999, relations between the U.S. and China were damaged after the American bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. Clinton apologized for the bombing, stating that it was accidental.

1999: Continuation of impeachment proceedings

In 1999, the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton continued, and his approval rating reached its highest point.

December 2000: Attempt to end the Israeli–Palestinian conflict at Bolling Air Force Base

In December 2000, Clinton made another attempt to end the Israeli–Palestinian conflict at Bolling Air Force Base, offering the Clinton Parameters. However, the situation broke down completely after the end of the Taba Summit and with the start of the Second Intifada.

January 19, 2001: Clinton's law license was suspended for five years

On January 19, 2001, Bill Clinton's law license was suspended for five years after he acknowledged conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in the Jones case.

2001: Kosovo court ruling on genocide

In 2001, the UN-supervised Supreme Court of Kosovo ruled that genocide did not take place in Kosovo, but recognized a systematic campaign of terror. The term "ethnic cleansing" was used as an alternative to "genocide."

November 2017: Donna Brazile Urges Clinton to Campaign

In November 2017, former DNC interim chair Donna Brazile urged Bill Clinton to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections, despite Kirsten Gillibrand's recent criticism of the Lewinsky scandal.

2018: Revisiting the Lewinsky Affair

In 2018, commentators, Democratic political leaders, and Monica Lewinsky revisited the Lewinsky affair, characterizing it as an abuse of power. Clinton stated he made the right decision in not resigning. The New York Times alleged the lack of Democratic candidates asking Clinton to campaign was a change attributed to the revised understanding of the Lewinsky scandal.

2018: Revisiting of sexual misconduct allegations in light of the #MeToo movement

In 2018, in light of the #MeToo movement, allegations of sexual misconduct against President Clinton were revisited, with many commentators and Democratic leaders now saying Clinton should have been compelled to resign after the Lewinsky affair.

March 2024: Details about Clinton's near assassination released.

As of March 2024, Reuters reported that details about President Clinton's near assassination attempt in the Phillipines in November 1996 remained classified. Reuters spoke with eight retired secret service agents about the incident.