The battle is hardly over; now that Clinton has managed to return to office, he faces several pressing issues - such as the looming bankruptcy of Social Security and much-needed improvement of the Welfare Reform Act - that voters expect him to address. With campaign concerns out of the way, the president must focus on the reformation of specific federal policies to carry the nation into the 21st century.
Clinton's first priority in his second term should be reforming health care. In his previous term, Clinton failed to create affordable health care coverage for every American. Health care must be solved quickly but carefully - the president must take incremental steps to achieve universal coverage. He did make strides toward this goal already by signing the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill, which allows many people to retain their health care coverage after switching jobs.
Moreover, as the baby boomer generation nears retirement, Social Security is increasingly important - millions of elderly depend on Social Security and many more will need it soon. The secret has been out for some time - Social Security is on the brink of bankruptcy. By the end of his second term, Clinton should restore the program's solvency - in a bipartisan effort.
Clinton also will need to focus on supplementing welfare. He recently signed the GOP-drafted law to end federal guarantee of cash aid to the poor. The bill shifts more responsibility to the states and sets lifetime caps on work benefits. Yet the bill does not provide many services to the needy, such as job training, childcare and transportation to work. Clinton signed the act - now he must deal with the consequences.
Clinton will have to put energy into several other national issues. Clinton is one of the tougher presidents on crime in recent history, from stiffening gun control to increasing money for police officers and prisons. However, the president's work is far from done. Instead of proposing weak, campaign-friendly legislation - such as requiring teen-agers to pass a drug test in order to receive a driver's license - Clinton needs well thought-out, concrete actions that will address issues like skyrocketing teen-age drug use.
Clinton also is expected to work on taxes - in his previous term, he promised a middle-class tax cut that did not appear. He has proposed a program of tax cuts for working families that focus on education and child-rearing. He also proposed tuition scholarships for students who succeed in community colleges. Clinton should take the steps necessary to put these long-awaited programs into action.
When not attempting to mend the nation, Clinton is expected to follow through on his foreign-aid plans. Clinton has supported peace or democracy-restoration in areas such as Bosnia, the Middle East, Northern Ireland and Haiti. More than just support, Clinton should actively work on post-war alliances - several countries depend on the United States when trying to craft peace plans.
Other topics, from affirmative action to the environment, will continue to vie for the president's attention, giving Clinton a full plate for his second term. He was re-elected on the basis that he can continue the positive work he already has done. He also was re-elected because voters are willing to put their trust in him to mend significant programs like Medicare, instead of blotting them out.
Clinton's work is cut out for him.