Bill Clinton on Civil Rights President of the U.S., 1993-2001; Former Democratic Governor (AR)

Overturn DOMA; it provided an excuse for discrimination

But, of course, Clinton was the president who allowed DOMA to become law in the first place, in 1996. Bill Clinton formalized his own evolution on March 7, when he wrote in support of the Supreme Court invalidating one of his most controversial actions as president. Referring to the words about discrimination he offered in defense of signing DOMA in 1996, Clinton wrote: "Reading those words today, I know now that, even worse than providing an excuse for discrimination, the law is itself discriminatory. It should be overturned."

Promised open gays in military; but compromised with DADT

The incoming administration found itself under withering attack from the active-duty military, led by its highest-ranking officer, General Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and (according to polls) the nation's most admired African American.

It quickly became evident that if Clinton went through with the executive order, he would be choosing to begin his new administration with a high-profile battle against a Democratic-controlled Congress, and he would be standing with a distinct minority of the electorate. Much to the chagrin of his numerous backers in the gay-rights movement, he compromised by accepting a congressional policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" regarding current members of the armed forces.

Do the hard work of bridging racial divisions

The organizers described it as "an effort to encourage political leaders to engage in open, honest conversation about race and its impact on national life."

1997: Lead a great and unprecedented conversation on race

Clinton launched a blue- ribbon advisory board to raise the issue of racial reconciliation onto the national agenda, and to develop recommendations for national policies to bridge opportunity gaps. "One America," as the president's race initiative was named, gave significant exposure & validation to a dialogue movement already at a high level of development.

1978: Supported ERA peripherally in first Governor race

Unlike most white politicians, didn't need Jesse Jackson

A: Yes. I wanted to be known as President Clinton's best friend in the Black Caucus. They used me a lot, during the campaign, to answer charges. The Sister Souljah thing was one [where Jesse Jackson criticized Clinton on race].

Q: What was Bill Clinton's relationship with Jesse Jackson?

A: Jesse was used to being the emissary for white politicians in the black community, and Bill didn't need that. He could go himself. He was raised among black people, in the Deep South. Bill operated in a world that was truly diverse, where he was comfortable, and Jesse operated in a world that was a bit limited. He was the foremost black leader, and Bill wanted to be the foremost leader. That's where they began to diverge, and it was resented in some ways.

No quotas and no reverse discrimination

But let me be clear: Affirmative action has been good for America.

Affirmative action has not always been perfect, and affirmative action should not go on forever. It should be changed now to take care of those things that are wrong, and it should be retired when its job is done. I am resolved that that day will come. But the evidence suggests, indeed, screams that that day has not yet come.

Believed in affirmative action on racial & personal grounds

1991: Pledged to allow gays to serve openly in military

"It sent precisely the wrong message," said a campaign advisors. "I'm not saying he shouldn't have taken that position. But as the first thing he did?"

This was also the first glimmer of a significant problem: Clinton's uncertainty about--and unfamiliarity with--the military.

MLK didn't fight for freedom to abandon family

The reception was sensational; the ministers seemed to sense as many African-Americans did, that the President was FAMILY. He was willing to confront black audiences with some difficult truths--abou the need for welfare reform (a big applause line with socially conservative black middle-class audiences) and parental responsibility--but he was equally insistent on the need for racial tolerance and a determined government effort to promote diversity.

1996: Supported affirmative action despite its unpopularity

The decisions Clinton made on affirmative action and welfare reform, as he approached his reelection campaign of 1996, were very different and yet entirely similar. A cynic might say that he split that difference--he gave the Old Democrats affirmative action and the New Democrats welfare reform. And while his anguished equivocation under the moral authority of each decision, Clinton was ultimately consistent--he had stood for both throughout his political career; indeed, both were integral to his governing vision.

1995: On affirmative action: “mend not end”

1993: Issued gays-in-military policy ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

Work to End Racial Profiling

End Discrimination Against People With AIDS

First President to appoint open gays

On October 6, 1997 and again on January 6, 1999, the President nominated James C. Hormel to be U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. Although Mr. Hormel’s qualifications were never in question, and it was generally agreed that his nomination would have easily won a floor vote, a handful of conservative Senators blocked the nomination. On June 4, 1999, President Clinton announced the recess appointment of James Hormel, making Mr. Hormel the first openly gay U.S. Ambassador.

Women should get equal pay for equal work

Include sexual orientation in Hate Crimes

Help minority- and women-owned businesses compete

Affirmative Action is still an effective tool

Status: The President ordered a review of the federal government's affirmative action programs and concluded that affirmative action is still an effective tool to expand economic and educational opportunity. The Supreme Court [decided that] an affirmative action program may not have quotas, reverse discrimination, or preferences for unqualified individuals. Thus, during President Clinton's tenure, racial quotas have been effectively eliminated.

OpEd: Clinton administration has a love affair with quotas

Affirmative action: mend it, don’t end it

Affirmative action was intended to give everybody a fair chance, but it hasn’t always worked smoothly & fairly. Today there are those who are determined to put an end to affirmative action, as if the purposes for which it was created have been achieved. They have not. Until they are, we need to mend affirmative action, most certainly, but not end it.

That is exactly what we are trying to do: end abuses, prohibit quotas, subject affirmative action to strict review, oppose any benefits to those who aren’t qualified, but make that extra effort to see that everyone has not a guarantee, but a chance.

Affirmative action is a moral imperative

So let us today trace the roots of affirmative action in our never ending search for equal opportunity. Let us determine what it is & what it isn't. Let us see where it's worked and where it hasn't, and ask ourselves what we need to do now. Along the way, let us remember always that finding common ground as we move toward the 21st century depends fundamentally on our shared commitment to equal opportunity for all Americans. It is a moral imperative, a constitutional mandate, and legal necessity..

People of all races are equal in the eyes of God

CLINTON: I grew up in the segregated south, thankfully raised by a grandfather with almost no formal education but with a heart of gold who taught me early that all people were equal in the eyes of God. I saw the winds of hatred divide people and keep the people of my State poorer than they would have been, spiritually and economically. I've done everything I could in my public life to overcome racial divisions. We are too divided by race, by income, by region. I have devoted a major portion of this campaign to going across this country and looking for opportunities to go to African-American groups, Latino groups, Asian-American groups, and say the same thing: If the American people cannot be brought together, we can't turn this country around. If we can come together, nothing can stop us.

BUSH: I think Gov. Clinton is committed. But I do think it's fair to note that Arkansas is one of the few States that doesn't have any civil rights legislation.

Shift from group preferences to economic empowerment of all.

Strengthen America’s Common Civic Culture
The more ethnically and culturally diverse America becomes, the harder we must all work to affirm our common civic culture -- the values and democratic institutions we share and that define our national identity as Americans. This means we should resist an “identity politics” that confers rights and entitlements on groups and instead affirm our common rights and responsibilities as citizens. Multiethnic democracy requires fighting discrimination against marginalized groups; empowering the disadvantaged to join the economic, political, and cultural mainstream; and respecting diversity while insisting that what we have in common as Americans is more important than how we differ. One way to encourage an ethic of citizenship and mutual obligation is to promote voluntary national service. If expanded to become available to everyone who wants to participate, national service can help turn the strong impulse toward volunteerism among our young people into a major resource in addressing our social problems. It will also help revive a sense of patriotism and national unity at a time when military service is no longer the common experience of young Americans.

Goals for 2010
• Reduce discrimination based on race, gender, national background, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
• Shift the emphasis of affirmative action strategies from group preferences to economic empowerment of all disadvantaged citizens.
• Expand the AmeriCorps national service program so that everyone willing to serve can serve -- with 1 million participants enrolled by the end of the decade.
• Promote character education in all public schools.