Former Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton Mack McLarty described the successes of the Clinton administration and the change in the current political scene Thursday, Feb. 15, during a videoconference.

“After the 1992 elections, we realized that the over 60 percent of the country voted for change,” McLarty, 60, said.  “Thoughtful change, not radical change.”

McLarty said part of the reason Pres. Clinton was elected was due to Clinton’s willingness to change policies.  Clinton gave a lot of thought to policies and felt privileged if he were to be elected, McLarty said.

One of the biggest changes between the Bush (41) administration and the Clinton administration was Clinton’s economic plans, said McLarty.  Focusing on domestic issues, Clinton could appeal to more citizens.

“The Welfare Reform Plan, several trade agreements, the Family Medical Leave Act are all examples of domestic legislation under Clinton,” McLarty said.  “It showed Clinton putting people first.  People felt a difference in their lives.”

The North American Free Trade Agreement was passed once Clinton took office, opening trade with specific limitations between Mexico, Canada and the United States.  Although Bush (41) had signed the bill, it was not passed in Congress until Clinton was sworn in.  This, according to McLarty was a high point for the young president.

“It demonstrated that Clinton took a position different than the traditional Democratic party.  He was more concerned with bipartisanship,” said McLarty.

After NAFTA, Clinton focused next on globalization.  As technology advanced, Clinton became the first president to deal with globalization en masse.  The Internet and the Dot-Com boom both started during Clinton’s administration.  These elements and increased global trade made every corner of the world accessible.

“Everything became so close to everything.  It dramatically changed how we do business,” McLarty said.

This change in business was inevitable, according to McLarty.  The former Chief of Staff and childhood friend to Clinton said that the car industry is a perfect example of that change.  China and India are now growing industries with whom the United States is competing.

“The connectivity of the world is balanced and managed and shaped responsibly,” he said.  “We planned to increase trade and investment around the world.  We wanted to uphold human rights in the press by strengthening institutions for protecting those human rights.”

Although business has changed over the years, news and information have changed as well.  McLarty said these changes have had an impact on the political scene.

“With this 24/7 news cycle and the upcoming elections, there will be instant communication and a dramatic change in how young people get the news,” he said.  “It will be transmitted instantly around the world and already has changed the foreign policies, but will continue to change.”

As former Chief of Staff, McLarty was in charge of maintain a sense of order in the White House, by controlling the flow of information in a timely manner.  Now with the news and events changing every minute, the Chief of Staff is constantly being barraged with information.

“It’s a 24/7 demanding job,” McLarty said.