Poll: Majority of Americans glad Clinton is leaving office
Despite controversies, Clinton's approval rating highest of any outgoing president
By CNN Polling Director Keating Holland
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Just over half of all Americans say that they are glad Bill Clinton is leaving the White House and only 45 percent say they will miss him when he is gone, according to the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.
But 55 percent say that Clinton should remain active in public life and his current approval rating is higher than any outgoing president since polling began more than seven decades ago.
Forty-seven percent think that Clinton will be remembered as an outstanding
or above average president; one in five say he will be remembered as below
average or poor.
Two-thirds say that Clinton will be remembered for his
involvement in personal scandal rather than his accomplishments, and only 39 percent
consider him honest and trustworthy.
The poll consists of interviews with 1,018 adult Americans and was conducted January 5-7, 2001. It has a margin of error of plus or minus five percentage points.
CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
January 5-7
Which comes closer to your view of Bill Clinton as he prepares to
leave the White House -- I'm glad he is leaving, or I'll miss him when he is
gone?
Glad he is leaving | 51% |
Will miss him | 45 |
In your view, does Bill Clinton have something worthwhile to contribute
and should remain active in public life?
How do you think President Clinton will go down in history -- as an
outstanding president, above average, average, below average, or poor?
Outstanding | 15% |
Above average | 32 |
Average | 30 |
Below average | 11 |
Poor | 11 |
How do you think President Clinton will go down in history -- as an
outstanding president, above average, average, below average, or poor?
| Clinton Now | Bush in 1993 |
Outstanding/ |
above average | 47% | 36% |
Average | 30 | 51 |
Below average/ | 22 | 12 |
poor |
In your view, will Clinton mostly be remembered as president for his accomplishments, or his involvement in personal scandal?
Scandal | 68% |
Accomplishments | 28 |
Do you generally think Bill Clinton is honest and trustworthy?
Job approval ratings for outgoing presidents
Clinton | 65% |
Reagan | 63 |
Eisenhower | 59 |
Bush | 56 |
Ford | 53 |
Johnson | 49 |
Carter | 34 |
Do you consider yourself a Clinton supporter?
|