Incumbent President William Jefferson Clinton was handily re-elcted in 1996 against Republican Bob Dole (KS). Bill Clinton won 49 percent of the popular vote compared to Dole’s 41 percent and third-party challenger Ross Perot’s 8 percent. The electoral tally was 379 to 159. During his second term, Clinton oversaw the first balanced budget since 1969, record budget surpluses, and high rates of home ownership. Yet Clinton was plagued by an aggressive Special Prosecutor, Kenneth Starr. Starr investigated Clinton’s relationship with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. It was later revealed that Clinton and Lewinsky had engaged in a consensual sexual relationship. After substantive proof of the affair was produced, Clinton offered an apology to his family and the American people.…
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Citation: Richert, Lucas Paul. "Bill Clinton re-elected US President". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 October 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=4021, accessed 26 November 2024.]