View source for Bill Clinton vs. George W. Bush

==Overview==
Defenders of [[George W. Bush]] sometimes argue that [[Bill Clinton]] set a new (lower) standard for presidential behavior. While this is at best a "[[he did it first]]" argument, and more likely just [[changing the subject]], it is worth setting the record straight on the matter in order to minimize the amount of time spent being sidetracked.{{seed}}
==Related Pages==
* See the {{talkpage}} for substantial discussion on this topic.
* [[Balkans vs. Iraq]]: A comparison between one campaign under Clinton and one under Bush
==Specific Points==
{| width=100%
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| || '''[[Bill Clinton]]''' || '''[[George W. Bush]]'''
|-
|
| doubled the [[wikipedia:United States Border Patrol|Border Patrol]] early in his first term || severely cut Border Patrol funds{{footnote|1}}
|-
| style="background: #eeeeee;" | Subject of lying
| his [[Clinton's bad behavior|personal life]]
| [[Bush's lies|significant matters of state]]
|-
| style="background: #eeeeee;" | Severity of lying
| charged with [[wikipedia:perjury|perjury]]{{footnote|2}} (lying under oath)
| aforesaid lies were merely official statements and not under oath
|-
|
| charged with [[wikipedia:obstruction of justice|obstruction of justice]]{{footnote|2}}
| informally accused of [[Bush's elevation of presidential power|attempted destruction of Democracy]]
|-
| '''Economy''' || ''"It's The Economy, Stupid"''
|-
| style="background: #eeeeee;" | Average annual GDP growth
| 3.6%
| 2.6%
|-
| style="background: #eeeeee;" | Non-farm employment
| added 22.7 million jobs
| added 3 million jobs<br><small>(worst record of any US president in 70 years)</small>
|-
| style="background: #eeeeee;" | Unemployment
| 7.3% -