Poll: Clinton's Approval Rating Holds Steady
In this story
Americans divided on whom to believe
More than half oppose immunity deal
Respondents rate possible reactions
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 29) -- President Bill Clinton's approval rating has not changed significantly despite new developments in Independent Counsel Ken Starr's sex-and-perjury investigation, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll conducted Wednesday.
Poll results show Clinton's approval rating at 65 percent, up 4 points from 61 percent in early July. But the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four points.
The poll -- which was based on interviews with 622 adult Americans -- also showed that 66 percent of Americans now believe that Clinton had an affair with Monica Lewinsky, up from 64 percent in April.
Fifty-six percent believe Clinton lied under oath, and 43 percent believe allegations that Clinton participated in an effort to obstruct justice by encouraging Lewinsky to lie about an alleged affair.
Americans divided on whom to believe
Americans were almost evenly divided on whether they would believe Lewinsky or Clinton if the former White House intern testifies that she had an affair with the president and he continues to deny that such an affair ever happened.
Forty-eight percent said they would believe Lewinsky, while 44 percent said they would believe the president.
Clinton has agreed to provide testimony to Starr's grand jury. The president's lawyer, David Kendall, announced Wednesday that Clinton will submit to questioning on August 17 at the White House. The testimony will be videotaped and Clinton's lawyers will be present.
Lawyers for Lewinsky and Starr reached a broad immunity deal earlier for the former White House intern, paving the way for her to tell a grand jury about her relationship with Clinton. The agreement was announced Tuesday.
According to sources, Lewinsky is prepared to testify that she and Clinton discussed how to conceal their alleged sexual relationship. She has previously denied under oath any sexual relationship with the president.
More than half oppose immunity deal
More respondents, 54 percent, said they oppose Lewinsky's immunity deal with Starr. Forty percent said they are in favor of the agreement.
Meanwhile, 85 percent said they favor President Clinton's agreement to testify. Twelve percent said they are opposed to Clinton's decision to testify.
Fifty-nine percent said they are in favor of Clinton testifying on videotape instead of in person, while 39 percent said they oppose the president's being allowed to testify on videotape.
Twenty-nine percent said Clinton eventually would have testified in Starr's investigation even if the independent counsel had not issued a subpoena. Sixty-four percent said he would not have testified without the subpoena.
Respondents rate possible reactions
Respondents also rated what their reaction would be if Lewinsky tells the grand jury that she and Clinton did have sex and discussed ways of hiding their alleged sexual relationship from investigators.
Twenty-four percent said the matter would be serious enough for Congress to consider impeachment, while 41 percent said it is a serious matter but not serious enough for impeachment. Thirty-four percent said it is not serious at all.
Fifty-six percent of poll respondents said Clinton's personal life does not matter to them, as long as he does a good job running the country. Forty-three percent said his personal life does matter, because the president's moral character is important.
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