Between the end of the Second World War and the early sixties, a baby boom occurred in the U. S. , and people born during that period were known as the 'baby boomers'. Bill Clinton is no doubt a typical representative of that generation. Like the 1992 general elections, the presidential election of 1997 was not merely a skirmish(小冲突，争执)between two political parties but also a generation war between the 'baby boomers' and the G. I. generation represented by Bush and Dole. Clintons triumph signaled a shift of U. S. political power from the older generation to the younger one, and reflects developments of far reaching significance in todays American politics. Bill Clinton was born on August 19, 1946, in the mountain city of Hope, Arkansas. In English, 'Hope' means 'xiwang'. No wonder that later on Clintons supporters often called him 'the man from the city of hope'. The family circumstances of Clintons childhood years were very unfortunate. Clintons own father died in a traffic accident 3 months before Clinton was born. His stepfather, Roger Clinton, was a habitual drunkard, which caused discord in the family. Such an experience helped Clinton become a man who knew his own mind, had self-restraint and self-control, and was adept at competition. Self-reliant, diligent and hard working, Clinton gained a good education. In the fall of 1964, he enrolled in Georgetown University in Washington D. C. , and majored in international politics. After graduation, he won the famous Rhodes scholarship and pursued advanced studies for 2 years in Englands Oxford University. In 1971 he entered Yale Universitys law college and obtained a doctorate in law two years later. During his university days, Clinton actively participated in the students movement against the Vietnam War, avoided army enlistment, and took a trip to Moscow in 1976. These experiences helped him mature early, but left him vulnerable to political controversies later, and branded him as a young liberal. After leaving Yale, Clinton returned to his hometown in Arkansas where he began his political career. In 1974, when he was not quite 28, he formally campaigned for congress. His vivid and dramatic first attempt greatly intimidated his opponents. Though defeated in his campaign, his political talent received affirmation in news and political circles, winning him the title of 'child prodigy'. In 1976, Clinton won the post of State Attorney General. In 1978, he succeeded in his campaign for the Governorship and at 32 became the youngest governor in the history of the state of Arkansas. In 1980, he lost to the Republicans in his campaign for reelection but two years later staged a comeback that won him the nickname of 'un-defeatable kid'. He kept the Governorship right up until January 1993, when he officially became the master of the White House. His first term of office expired in 1997, but he defeated republican Dole and was re-elected, and served as President up until 2001. Questions: Whats the main idea of this passage?