The Agenda

More about the book

In the eighteen months following Bill Clinton's election, Bob Woodward conducted extensive interviews with administration insiders and accessed confidential documents to reveal the inner workings of the Clinton White House. Central to Clinton's presidency was his pledge for a new economic deal, which he pursued relentlessly. Woodward's focus on the efforts to pass a comprehensive economic recovery plan provides a detailed account of high-level meetings, intense debates, and critical decisions, offering an intimate portrait of Clinton as he navigates the complexities of his role. The narrative captures Clinton's emotional range—debating, scolding, pleading, celebrating, and expressing frustration. It also presents a group portrait of his inner circle, including Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, and key political strategists like James Carville and Paul Begala, as well as Congressional leaders and Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. Through meticulous research and a wealth of internal documentation, Woodward constructs a thorough archive of the early Clinton presidency, highlighting the deep conflicts among advisers and within Clinton himself regarding pressing issues such as the federal deficit, health care, welfare reform, taxes, and government spending. This examination reveals the challenges faced by the administration as it sought to address the nation’s most critical tasks.