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Poll Shows Rise In Approval Rating As Dole, Gingrich Drop

Approval Rating

(AllPolitics, May 11) -- President Clinton's approval rating has inched up since the spring of 1995, while those of Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and House Speaker Newt Gingrich have dropped, according to a poll released Saturday.

The CNN/Time poll showed that 51 percent of Americans polled May 8-9 approved of the way Clinton was doing his job, compared with 49 percent in March 1995. Clinton's new numbers were five points over Dole's (46 percent) and 18 points over Gingrich's (33 percent).

In March 1995 -- at the end of Congress' first 100 days -- 52 percent of those polls approved of Dole's performance, and 40 percent approved of Gingrich.

Forty-five percent of those in the new poll said they believed Clinton is better capable of handling the issues facing the U.S., compared with 37 percent who named Congress. In March 1995, Congress and the president were in a statistical dead heat, 41 percent to 42 percent.

Another question on the new poll revealed that Americans' perception of the president is changing: 33 percent thought he is too liberal, compared with 41 percent in May 1993; and 46 percent now say his political bent is "about right." Thirty-five percent gave that answer three years ago.

Opinion of Clinton

Registered Republicans answered a survey about their choice for Bob Dole's running mate in November, and not surprisingly nearly 40 percent chose Gen. Colin Powell, while no other candidate got out of single digits. Without Powell in the running, however, New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman is the front runner at 14 percent, followed by Michigan Gov. John Engler at 11 percent.

Other poll results: Americans are divided on whether or not parents should be held legally accountable for their children's crimes (46 percent yes; 45 percent no); 78 percent favor raising the minimum wage; and 86 percent favor the legality of abortion in at least some circumstances.

In a related question, CNN/Time asked registered Republicans for their views on a constitutional amendment banning all abortions. Thirty-five percent favored such an amendment, and 56 percent opposed it. In addition, 58 percent of registered Republicans thought that the GOP platform should allow abortion in some circumstances. Eleven percent called for a total ban.


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