Bill Clinton (1946-) was the 42nd president of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001 during a period marked by economic growth, declining unemployment, and the end of the Cold War era. A centrist Democrat, he promoted policies including welfare reform, consumer rights, deficit reduction, expanded trade, and economic development while also pursuing an active foreign policy. His presidency was ultimately defined both by its economic successes and by scandal.

Barack Obama (1961-) was the 44th president of the United States serving from 2009 to 2017. Before becoming president, he worked as a civil rights lawyer before entering politics in Illinois and later serving in the U.S. Senate. His presidency was defined by the Affordable Care Act, the response to the Great Recession, continuing the War on Terror, and efforts to address social and environmental issues.