Bill Clinton Interview: Reflections on Presidency & Legacy

President Bill Clinton recalls the lessons his mother taught him, the impact of briefly meeting John F. Kennedy at the age of 16, becoming Governor of Arkansas at the age of 32, and how he felt when he became president in 1992. President Clinton discusses his belief in second chances, gives his thoughts about his 1998 impeachment hearing, and how he believes historians will look back at his time in office.
William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President of the United States was born in 1946 in Hope, Arkansas. He graduated from Georgetown University and in 1968 won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University. He received a law degree from Yale University and entered politics in Arkansas. In 1975, Clinton married Hillary Rodham and in 1980 Chelsea, their only child, was born. Bill Clinton was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1978, but lost a bid for reelection in 1980. He regained the governorship two years later and served until 1993. During his time in office, Governor Clinton earned national recognition for his progressive programs, especially his efforts to improve the quality of public education. He defeated Republican President George Bush and independent candidate Ross Perot in the presidential election in 1992. When President Clinton won reelection in 1996, he became the first Democrat since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second term. Following the early failure of his health care reform initiative, President Clinton pursued a moderate but progressive domestic agenda. During his tenure, the welfare system was reformed, the sale of handguns was restricted, environmental regulations were strengthened, and a massive federal budget deficit was turned into a surplus. Internationally, the Clinton Administration expanded international trade, intervened militarily to end “ethnic cleansing” in Bosnia, launched peace and trade initiatives in Africa and the Middle East, and promoted a framework for peace aimed at ending the strife in Northern Ireland. In 1998, his relationship with a young White House intern resulted in the President’s impeachment by the House of Representatives. A trial in the Senate found the President not guilty of the charges brought against him. President Clinton apologized for his conduct and vowed to keep working as hard as he could for the American people.
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Bill Clinton, 42nd U.S. President
Interviewed By: Hugh Sidey
Interview Date: March 31, 1999
© Kunhardt Film Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
Life Experiences Preparing for the Presidency (0:20)
The Enormity of the Presidency (1:57)
Early Years (3:41)
Meeting Kennedy (5:09)
Lessons From His Mother (7:28)
A Young Politician (8:00)
Defeat in 1980 (9:04)
"The God of Second Chances" (11:06)
Religion (13:01)
On Being "Fit to be President" (14:24)
First Entering The White House (16:46)
Thoughts on Other Presidents (19:05)
Being President of a Divided Government (20:44)
Partisanship in America (23:26)
The Impeachment Process 1998 (25:15)
How the Media Has Altered the Presidency (30:48)
His Legacy (34:37)
The Future of the Presidency (36:12)
A Child of the 60's (37:42)
Hillary Clinton (40:19)
How the Presidency Has Changed Him (42:32)
Summing Up the Presidency (45:15)
#BillClintonInterview #kunhardtfilmfoundation

[@Samm19902]

One of the smartest people to hold the office.

[@MikeJackson690]

"Never lose compassion for those less fortunate than you are."

[@jeffsmith3392]

I do actually think Clinton was a very very accomplished President who sadly will be remembered for his human frailty.

[@nicholasdicarlo217]

Registered Republican born 1993. I think Bill Clinton is the best President in my lifetime.

[@GTTg-kr2xh]

Met him in while serving in the Navy - he looks right into your eyes and is fully present when talking to you. He repeats your name and is charming and smart. All these guys are smart for the most part - just in different ways. It is hard to get to the office of the President, very hard and BC did his thing.

[@jackieclack8710]

I wish he could run for president in2024 election I vote for him every time love him

[@curtisbownes7933]

Best President we ever had Bill Clinton president

[@nickstrapko7549]

Thinking what he said about forgiveness . Some people judge others to harshly I've seen it. I don't want to be that kind of person

[@SN-sz7kw]

Brilliant, imperfect man who strived to leave the country better than he found it (budget surplus anyone?). And a marvelous communicator. Absolutely one of the best. His speech in support of Obama’s second run arguably nailed the election - a work of oratory art. A shame his tenure collided with Newt’s shameless destruction of political civility.

[@majestic-1]

This interview reminds me of why I loved Bill Clinton so much! voted for him twice !🇺🇸

[@mazharsoufi5270]

i love this man!! the most charismatic and smartest president of modern era

[@arpsri9675]

One person told me that Bill Clinton is probably the smartest president the United States ever had.

[@user-nr6xo9nj8g]

Watching Bill and Hillary grow from a " grass roots " start and grow was impressive. It gives you the hope and proof that the sky is the limit in America.

[@vivianzhang]

The power of maternal love is the greatest strength. Mother 's sincere teaching when you are young are alive and always inspire you to keep moving forward.

[@hazelranjith4845]

You were a great president, sir. You still are a good human being.

[@mattgaskell945]

Imagine the same questions to Trump and putting the interviews side by side. The thoughtfulness and detail in Clinton’s answers, the intellect, the compassion, the service to others…..

[@jackieclack8710]

i wii aways love my president clinton i wish he still was pres.

[@classicalaid1]

I have a diplomatic friend who has worked with both Bill Clinton and Al Gore on major projects. He said Bill Clinton, a brilliant man with an incredible memory, wasn't the easiest person to work with.

[@niveditaagarwal1084]

I always ♥️ love to see you and your interviews and conferences. Always miss you 😔

[@rrickarr]

A great leader and a far greater intellect, despite all of his personal demons. But even King David and King Solomon had their demons! And, he grew up poor and pulled himself up--much respect for that.