Poll: Public Wants Clinton To Testify
Public wishes they knew less about Clinton-Lewinsky story
By Keating Holland/CNN
WASHINGTON (Aug. 13) -- Most Americans would not lose confidence in President Bill Clinton if he admits he had
sex with Monica Lewinsky or if he denies the allegation in his upcoming testimony before Independent Counsel
Ken Starr's grand jury, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll.
But most Americans would lose confidence in him if he
cancelled that appearance before the grand jury or refused to answer questions
about his relationship with the former White House intern.
There may be a
"perjury trap," however, in the court of public opinion. If Clinton lied as a
witness in the Paula Jones case, an allegation which would gain strength if
Clinton admits to having an affair with Lewinsky, 71 percent say that action would
be relevant to the way he should be judged in office, and 56 percent say the charge
would be serious enough to consider removing Clinton from office.
Only one person in five, however, currently supports impeaching Clinton. If Clinton's
testimony is videotaped, only a third of the public think that tape should be released to the public.
One reason: 61 percent of people surveyed say they wish they knew less than they
currently do about what happened between Clinton and Lewinsky. The public is
split, 50-49 percent, over whether it is important for Clinton to address the allegations in a formal speech or press conference. Only 25 percent say it is
very important for him to do so. Clinton's approval rating remains high at
65 percent.
The numbers are based on interviews with 1,276 adults Aug. 10-12, and the survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points.
| Would Lose Confidence In Clinton If He... |
Admitted having affair
Denied having affair
Refused to answer questions
Cancelled testimony |
26%
33%
53%
60% |
| If Clinton Lied Under Oath In Paula Jones Case |
Relevant
Consider removing him from office |
71%
56% |
| If Clinton Lied Under Oath In Paula Jones Case |
Relevant
Consider removing him from office |
71%
56% |
| Impeach Clinton and Remove Him From Office |
Favor
Oppose |
20%
76% |
| Should Videotape of Testimony Be Released To Public? |
Yes
No |
35%
62% |
| Wish You Knew More or Less About Clinton and Lewinsky? |
More
Less |
26%
61% |
| Clinton Speech or Press Conference About Lewinsky Matter |
Important to you
Not important |
49%
50% |
| How Clinton Is Handling His Job As President |
Approve
Disapprove |
65%
30% |
No moral example
Clinton's standing with the American public remains relatively strong, although
three-quarters continue to believe he had an affair with Lewinsky and
two-thirds don't approve of the moral example he sets for the country.
But
slightly more than half continue to say that they respect him. And although a
Gallup survey conducted last weekend found only a third willing to say he is
honest and trustworthy, the latest poll finds that 55 percent say he is honest
and trustworthy enough to be president. (Note the difference: this poll added
the phrase "enough to be president.")
While Clinton's favorable rating
has remained steady, the number of people with an unfavorable view of
Lewinsky has grown six points since last weekend. Six in 10 have a favorable
view of first lady Hillary Clinton, and two-thirds approve of the way she has handled the
Lewinsky controversy.
| How Clinton Is Managing The Government |
Approve
Disapprove |
75%
24% |
| Clinton's Position On Major Issues |
Approve
Disapprove |
70%
28% |
| Moral Example Clinton Sets For the Country |
Approve
Disapprove |
32%
64% |
| Charges That Clinton Had Sex With Monica Lewinsky |
True
Not true |
73%
20% |
| Clinton Honest and Trustworthy Enough To Be President? |
Yes
No |
55%
42% |
| Do You Respect Clinton? |
Yes
No |
53%
44% |
| Opinion of Monica Lewinsky |
Favorable
Unfavorable |
Now 13%
72% |
Last Weekend 18%
66% |
| Opinion of... |
Bill Clinton
Hillary Clinton
Monica Lewinsky |
Favorable 60%
60%
13% |
Unfavorable 38%
36%
72% |
| How Hillary Clinton Has Handled Lewinsky Matter |
Approve
Disapprove |
65%
27% |
A base of support
What effect will the Lewinsky matter have on Clinton's future? Forty-five percent of people say they will support Clinton even if all the charges in the Lewinsky
matter are true. Another 25 percent say they would never support Clinton even if all
the charges were proven to be false.
That leaves 27 percent in the middle:
Americans whose minds could be changed one way or the other depending on the
outcome of the investigation.
But most Americans would prefer that the
investigation into the Lewinsky matter end now.
That is not true, however, of
investigations into Whitewater, which some news reports indicate that Starr will not look into further, and most Americans would also like to see
investigations continue into Democratic fund-raising practices in 1996. Most
Americans disapprove of how Starr has handled the controversy surrounding
Clinton and Lewinsky, and a majority continue to have an unfavorable view of him.
| Support For Clinton |
Even if charges are true
Depends on investigation
No support even if charges are false |
45%
27%
25% |
| Continue Investigations Into... |
Campaign fund-raising
Whitewater
Monica Lewinsky |
Yes 57%
52%
43% |
No 37%
45%
56% |
| How Starr Has Handled Lewinsky Controversy |
Approve
Disapprove |
29%
58% |
| Opinion of Ken Starr |
Favorable
Unfavorable |
26%
54% |
|
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