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Explore the relationship between Congress and President Bill Clinton, including the passage of NAFTA, his impeachment and acquittal, and the outcome of the 2000 presidential election.
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SSUSH25 • e. Explain the relationship between Congress and President Bill Clinton; include the North American Free Trade Agreement and his impeachment and acquittal. • f. Analyze the 2000 presidential election and its outcome, emphasizing the role of the Electoral College
President Clinton and Congress • Clinton was a democrat • The majority of Congress was republican • Congress and the President had a mixed relationship due to the fact that they were not of the same party, therefore often they did not agree. • Early on Clinton faced many Congressional roadblocks on many of his proposed policies.
NAFTA • Stands for North American Free Trade Agreement • It was a means to open up world trade, and to drop barriers between the US, Canada, and Mexico • Though Clinton faced some resistance from democrats in Congress, he was able to gain he support of republicans and get NAFTA approved. http://www.5min.com/Video/What-Should-You-Know-10-NAFTA-30882950
President Clinton’s Impeachment • In January 1998 Clinton was linked to an improper relationship with a White House intern named Monica Lewinsky • For the next 7 months, Clinton denied a relationship ever existed between him and Monica.
President Clinton’s Impeachment • By mid-August 1998 , Clinton finally acknowledged that he had an inappropriate relationship • By mid-January 1999 the Senate began impeachment hearings against Clinton charging him with perjury and obstruction of justice. • Impeachment remember is just that charges have been formally filed. It does not mean that the president has been convicted. • Perjury means that he lied under oath, which is against the law.
President Clinton’s Impeachment • In February of 1999, the Senate acquitted (dropped) Clinton of the charges • Clinton became only the 2nd president to face impeachment. • Who was the first? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w86yFIHFGbY
2000 Presidential Election • The 2000 Presidential election pitted republican George W. Bush against Vice President Al Gore (democrat) • For a person to win the Presidential election they must win 270 Electoral votes • Though Gore won the popular vote the Electoral vote came down to the state of Florida. • The results were so close in Florida, that under state law, a recount was required. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaPlIcQw_dg-School House Rock-Electoral College
2000 Presidential Election • By November 2000, the state of Florida was only able to count a percentage of the ballots. They declared George W. Bush the winner by 537 votes because they felt it impossible to recount all ballots.
2000 Presidential Election • Al Gore then sued, arguing that the results were not accurate • Because of the importance of the case, and the fact that the Constitution requires the Electoral vote to be cast by a certain date, the case went immediately to the Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore • The Court ruled in a 5-4 vote that there was insufficient time under the law for a full recount • The ruling left George Bush the winner of the 2000 Presidential election. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEB9hWYMpA0
Closing • What 3 countries are involved in NAFTA? • Why was Clinton impeached? • Which 2 presidents faced impeachment? • Explain the Electoral College in your own words. • Who won the popular vote in 2000? Who won the Electoral College vote?