Brother Bill : president Clinton and the politics of race and class / Daryl A. Carter.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Carter, Daryl A., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Clinton, Bill, 1946-.

Clinton, Bill.

United States--Race relations--Political aspects.

United States.

Race relations.

Physical Description:

xi, 322 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Fayetteville, Arkansas : The University of Arkansas Press, 2016.

Summary:

As President Obama was sworn into office on January 20, 2009, the United States was abuzz with talk of the first African American president. At this historic moment, one man standing on the inaugural platform had actually been called "the first black president" for years. President William Jefferson Clinton had enjoyed support from black voters as high as 85 percent during his presidential election years. At the same time, Clinton's relationship with this segment of his political base was complex, and at times tenuous, because, even as he promoted progressive ideals and achieved diversity in his appointees, he also pursued the agenda of the Democratic Leadership Council. This moderate agenda, designed to avoid any perception of liberal sentimentalism, included the 1994 crime bill, pro-business economic and tax policies, and "workfare" over welfare. As a result, while African Americans of means benefitted from many of Clinton's policies, those without means were often left behind. Daryl A. Carter examines President Clinton's relationship with African Americans in this fascinating study of the political battles that intensified class divisions within the African American community during, and beyond, Bill Clinton's presidency. Book jacket.

Contents:

Chapter 1 The Democratic Leadership Council and African Americans 21

Chapter 2 Race and Class in the 1990s 53

Chapter 3 The Politics of Racial Appointments 67

Chapter 4 Responsibility and Accountability 95

Chapter 5 "Mend It, Don't End It" 135

Chapter 6 Welfare Reform 169

Chapter 7 A Missed Opportunity 203

Chapter 8 The Clinton Legacy 225.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical reference (pages 253-300) and index.

ISBN:

9781557286994

155728699X

9781682260029

168226002X

OCLC:

951429258