4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress is doing its job?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
9/28/98 52 44 4
9/13/98 56 38 6
8/21/98 55 39 6
7/12/98 46 44 11
5/12/98 45 45 9
4/4/98 47 45 8
1/31/98 55 35 10
1/30/98 55 35 10
1/25/98 56 37 8
1/24/98 55 38 7
1/19/98 47 49 5
10/13/97 36 57 7
8/27/97 39 54 7
7/8/97 40 53 6
4/24/97 40 53 7
3/9/97 35 60 5
8/5/96 42 52 7
6/30/96 35 58 7
5/22/96 35 60 5
3/10/96 30 64 6
1/7/96 31 65 5
11/19/95 27 68 5
10/1/95 32 65 3
7/17/95 34 63 3
3/19/95 39 56 5
1/29/95 42 52 6
10/31/94 21 72 8
10/23/94 18 78 4
9/11/94 24 70 5
6/26/94 34 61 5
3/27/94 35 62 3
2/27/94 32 64 4
1/23/94 29 60 11
11/14/93 28 66 6
8/8/93 33 64 3
4/26/93 30 69 2
1/17/93 29 66 6
4/9/92 17 78 5
3/18/92 19 76 5
3/8/92 22 73 6
2/2/92 32 64 4
12/15/91 35 59 6
10/21/91 45 50 5
6/2/91 49 46 5
10/14/90 34 63 3
2/4/90 41 55 4
1/16/90 39 55 6
8/21/89 42 53 5
5/23/89 54 44 2
2/14/89 53 44 3
1/23/88* 43 53 4
6/1/87* 56 40 4
6/22/85* 54 37 9
5/83* 33 43 24
6/81* 38 40 22
6/79* 19 61 20
9/78* 29 49 22
6/77* 34 42 24
6/75* 29 54 17
8/74* 48 35 17
*Gallup
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your own representative to the U.S. House of Representatives in Congress is handling his or her job?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
9/28/98 70 21 10
7/12/98 70 18 12
1/19/98 74 19 7
4/5/95 65 25 9
10/31/94 51 38 11
10/23/94 49 43 8
9/11/94 53 35 12
6/26/94 59 31 10
3/27/94 62 26 12
1/17/93 60 29 11
4/9/92 47 39 13
3/18/92 49 40 11
2/2/92 56 32 12
12/15/91 60 28 12
10/21/91 64 27 9
6/2/91 61 26 14
10/14/90 64 29 7
5/23/89 71 18 11
6. Who do you trust to do a better job coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few years - Clinton or the Republicans in Congress?
Both equally Neither No
Clinton Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opin.
9/28/98 51 38 2 6 3
9/13/98 43 37 2 12 7
8/21/98 48 38 2 9 3
7/12/98 48 38 1 6 6
5/12/98 47 39 3 8 3
1/31/98 52 35 3 4 6
1/19/98 48 40 2 8 2
3/9/97 49 38 4 8 2
1/15/97* 51 37 3 7 2
1/29/95 40 46 4 8 2
1/4/95 30 54 3 9 4
12/20/94 34 60 NA NA 6
12/15/94 34 49 3 9 6
* "The Clinton administration"
7. I am going to mention four phrases and ask you which one best
describes how you feel about the way the federal government works. Do
you feel enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but
not angry, or angry?
------Positive-------- ------Negative------
Pos. Enthusi- Satis- Neg. Dissat- None/ No
NET astic fied NET isfied Angry Other opin.
9/28/98 50 4 46 49 36 12 NA 1
1/19/98 46 2 43 53 45 8 1 *
8/27/97 34 2 33 64 52 11 2 1
3/17/96 29 2 27 70 54 16 NA *
1/4/95 29 2 27 69 53 16 * 1
11/6/94 Reg. 28 2 26 70 49 21 1 1
10/31/94 26 1 25 73 55 18 1 1
10/23/94 28 1 26 71 52 20 * *
10/9/94 25 2 24 72 53 19 2 *
9/11/94 26 2 25 73 53 20 NA *
3/27/94 30 1 29 68 48 20 1 1
2/28/93 33 4 29 66 50 16 * *
7/8/92 23 1 22 76 53 23 * 1
6/7/92 21 1 20 79 58 21 * 1
4/9/92 21 1 20 79 55 24 1 *
3/18/92 22 1 21 77 54 23 1 *
3/11/92 18 1 17 80 60 20 1 1
8. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as very good, good, bad or very bad?
---------Good-------- ----------Bad-------- No
NET Very Good NET Bad Very opin.
9/28/98 85 18 67 14 10 4 1
7/12/98 81 19 63 16 13 4 2
1/19/98 75 14 61 24 19 5 1
5/25/97 64 7 57 35 24 11 1
9. Right now, are you inclined to vote to re-elect your representative in
Congress in the next election or are you inclined to look around for someone
else to vote for?
Re-elect Look around Depends(vol.) No opin.
9/28/98 44 46 NA 10
7/12/98 42 44 5 10
1/19/98 47 41 7 4
8/27/97 34 52 9 5
11/6/94* 37 47 7 8
10/31/94 35 56 2 7
10/23/94 32 58 4 6
9/11/94 36 53 4 7
6/26/94 35 54 6 5
3/27/94 32 56 6 7
1/23/94 32 46 10 12
11/14/93 38 52 5 5
7/8/92 34 54 3 9
6/7/92 36 53 4 7
4/9/92 33 56 3 8
3/11/92 36 54 3 7
2/2/92 38 51 4 7
10/21/91 31 55 7 6
6/2/91 37 49 5 9
11/4/90** 41 50 NA 8
10/14/90 36 57 NA 7
5/21/90 43 50 3 3
5/23/89 45 44 4 6
*Among registered voters
**Among likely voters
10. Overall, which party, the Democrats or the Republicans, do you trust to do
a better job in coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few
years?
Both equally Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opin.
9/28/98 49 38 2 8 3
9/13/98 47 35 4 10 4
8/21/98 48 36 4 9 3
7/12/98 45 38 3 8 6
1/31/98 47 37 4 6 7
1/19/98 45 42 2 7 4
7/8/97 44 37 2 14 3
9/15/96* 45 38 3 11 3
8/5/96 43 38 3 11 3
6/30/96 46 37 3 12 3
5/22/96 47 38 3 10 3
11/6/94* 41 39 2 12 6
10/31/94 43 43 2 8 4
10/23/94 39 40 3 15 3
9/11/94 43 40 4 11 3
6/26/94 41 36 3 14 5
2/27/94 46 32 4 16 3
11/14/93 42 39 3 11 4
1/17/93 49 28 5 13 5
7/8/92 48 38 1 8 4
6/7/92 43 37 3 11 6
3/11/92 45 37 1 11 5
3/8/92 51 36 1 7 5
2/2/92 49 39 2 7 3
12/15/91 39 37 3 15 6
10/21/91 39 40 3 13 5
*Among registered voters
17. Is one of the reasons you support this candidate to express support for Clinton, to express opposition to Clinton, or would you say that Clinton is not a factor?
Support Opposition Not a factor No opinion
9/28/98 14 13 71 2
18. If a candidate for Congress supports impeaching Clinton and removing him from office, would that make you more likely to vote for that candidate for Congress, more likely to vote against that candidate for Congress, or wouldn't it make much difference in your vote? (IF MORE LIKELY TO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST, ASK:) Could it be the deciding issue in your vote, or could other issues be as important?
--------Vote for------- ----Vote against----- No No
NET Deciding Others NET Deciding Others diff opn.
9/28/98 21 10 12 29 15 14 48 2
19. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Bill Clinton?
Favorable Unfavorable No opinion
9/28/98 48 47 5
9/13/98 50 45 5
8/23/98 45 49 6
8/21/98 56 40 4
8/19/98 39 57 4
7/12/98 54 40 6
5/12/98 54 42 4
4/4/98 55 39 6
2/18/98 56 41 3
1/30/98 60 35 6
1/25/98 54 42 5
1/24/98 51 44 5
1/19/98 59 35 6
1/12/98 59 33 7
10/13/97 59 37 4
9/10/97 57 38 5
3/9/97 60 38 3
9/4/96 (Reg.) 58 38 4
6/30/96 56 38 5
10/30/95 54 41 6
7/17/95 59 38 3
6/8/95 53 43 4
3/19/95 55 42 3
10/31/94 51 44 5
5/15/94 57 40 3
3/27/94 59 37 4
1/23/94 60 32 8
11/14/93 58 37 5
11/11/93 52 43 6
8/8/93 56 39 5
4/26/93 59 29 12
2/23/93 59 30 11
1/17/93 68 20 11
10/18/92 Likely 56 36 8
9/27/92 Likely 55 36 9
8/23/92 Reg. 54 36 10
7/19/92 Reg. 58 23 18
7/8/92 52 33 15
6/7/92 41 38 21
3/18/92 37 37 26
3/11/92 39 31 30
2/2/92 37 24 39
1/27/92 23 11 66
10/21/91 13 9 78
20. Would you say you trust Clinton on a personal level, or not?
Yes No No opinion
9/28/98 30 66 4
9/13/98 31 66 3
9/9/98 28 67 5
8/23/98 32 63 5
21. Given what you know about the Monica Lewinsky issue, do you think
Clinton should remain in office as president, or should he resign the
presidency?
Remain in office Resign presidency No opinion
9/28/98 61 37 3
9/21/98 54 43 3
9/14/98* 55 41 5
9/13/98B 57 39 3
9/13/98A 57 39 3
9/12/98 55 39 6
9/11/98 50 45 5
9/9/98 58 40 2
8/23/98 67 30 3
8/19/98** 61 36 3
8/17/98** 68 28 4
* "Monica" added
** "this issue"
9/13/98B = Sunday Evening of 9/13/98
9/13/98A = Sunday Afternoon of 9/13/98
COMPARE TO:
Based on what you know or have heard, do you think Clinton should resign from office, or not?
Should resign Should not resign No opinion
9/13/98 39 58 3
COMPARE TO:
If Clinton lied by testifying under oath last January that he did not have
an affair with Lewinsky, would you want him to remain in office as
president, or would you want him to resign the presidency?
Remain in office Resign presidency No opinion
8/16/98** 57 40 3
7/29/98 53 45 2
1/31/98 41 53 6
1/26/98 30 65 5
1/25/98 36 59 5
1/24/98 36 60 5
1/23/98 31 64 4
1/21/98 41 53 5
**"last January" added
22. Based on what you know, do you think Congress should or should not
impeach Clinton and remove him from office?
--Should be impeached-- -Should not be impeached- No
NET Strgly Smewht NET Strgly Smewht opin.
9/28/98 31 24 7 66 52 14 3
9/21/98 41 NA NA 57 NA NA 2
9/14/98 38 NA NA 59 NA NA 3
9/13/98* 30 26 3 64 56 8 6
8/23/98** 24 NA NA 70 NA NA 6
8/19/98** 30 NA NA 65 NA NA 5
8/17/98** 25 NA NA 69 NA NA 6
*Washington Post: "As you may know, the independent counsel Kenneth Starr has delivered a report to Congress summarizing his investigation of the Lewinsky matter. Based on what you know or have heard..."
** "If he does not resign, do you think..."
COMPARE TO:
If Clinton lied by testifying under oath last January that he did not have an affair with Lewinsky, and he did not resign, is this something for which Clinton should be impeached, or not?
Should be Should not be No
impeached impeached opinion
8/16/98* 35 59 6
7/29/98 39 57 4
7/12/98** 39 55 7
1/31/98 40 51 9
1/25/98 55 40 5
1/24/98 54 41 5
1/23/98 55 38 7
*"last January" added
**Language: If Starr reports to Congress that he has evidence that Clinton had an affair with Lewinsky and lied about it under oath, do you think Congress should or should not impeach Clinton and remove him from office?
23. For each item I mention, please tell if you think, in that case, Congress should or should not impeach Clinton and remove him from office. First is (READ ITEM.) How about…
a. If it's shown that Clinton lied under oath about having an affair with Lewinsky, do you think Congress should or should not impeach Clinton and remove him from office?
Should Should not No opinion
9/28/98** 48 49 3
9/21/98 41 56 3
9/14/98 42 52 5
9/13/98B 44 54 2
9/13/98A 42 52 5
9/12/98 43 51 6
9/11/98 48 48 4
9/9/98* 46 51 3
8/21/98 35 62 3
7/12/98 39 55 7
9/13/98B = Sunday Evening of 9/13/98
9/13/98A = Sunday Afternoon of 9/13/98
*9/9 and previous: If the special prosecutor Kenneth Starr reports to
Congress that he has evidence that Clinton had an affair with Lewinsky and
lied about it under oath, do you think Congress should or should not
impeach Clinton and remove him from office?
b. If it's shown that Clinton encouraged Lewinsky to lie under oath, do you think Congress should or should not impeach Clinton and remove him from office?
Should Should not No opinion
9/28/98 50 47 3
9/21/98 52 44 3
9/14/98 51 44 5
9/13/98B 51 46 3
9/13/98A 48 46 6
9/12/98 49 46 6
9/11/98 57 39 4
9/9/98* 51 46 3
8/21/98* 43 54 3
7/12/98* 45 48 6
9/13/98B = Sunday Evening of 9/13/98
9/13/98A = Sunday Afternoon of 9/13/98
* 9/9 and previous: If Starr reports to Congress that he has evidence that Clinton had an affair with Lewinsky and encouraged HER to lie about it under oath, do you think Congress should or should not impeach Clinton and
remove him from office?
Compare To:
Should be Should not No
impeached be impeached opin.
8/16/98* 38 57 5
7/29/98* 42 57 2
1/26/98** 51 45 4
1/25/98** 50 43 7
1/24/98** 50 44 6
1/23/98** 54 40 6
1/21/98** 43 51 6
*If Clinton suggested ways Lewinsky could conceal the affair from investigators, and he did not resign, do you think Congress should or should not impeach Clinton and remove him from office?
**If Clinton did tell this woman to lie in a legal document, and if Clinton did not resign, is this something for which Clinton should be impeached, or not?
c. If it's shown that Clinton asked his aides or other people to help him cover up his affair with Lewinsky, do you think Congress should or should not impeach
Clinton and remove him from office?
Should be Should not No
impeached be impeached opin.
9/28/98 49 49 3
9/21/98 54 44 2
9/13/98B 54 43 3
9/13/98A 50 45 5
9/12/98 50 45 5
9/11/98 57 37 6
9/13/98B = Sunday Evening of 9/13/98
9/13/98A = Sunday Afternoon of 9/13/98
"If it's shown that" added 9/29/98
24. And what's your best guess-do you think Clinton did or did not (READ ITEM.) Do you think he did or did not.. (CONTINUE)
Yes No No opinion
A. Lie under oath about
having an affair with
Lewinsky 75 18 7
B. Encourage Lewinsky
to lie under oath 44 44 12
C. Ask his aides or other
people to help him
cover up his affair
with Lewinsky 56 32 12
25. You said before that based on what you know, Clinton should not be impeached. Do you feel that way mainly because you don't think it's been shown that he did anything serious enough to impeach him, or mainly because impeaching him would be too disruptive to the nation?
Not Too Both Neither No
serious disruptive (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/28/98 40 43 12 4 1
26. Whose version of the facts are you most inclined to
accept-Bill Clinton's or Kenneth Starr's?
Starr's Clinton's Neither (vol.) No opinion
9/28/98 47 42 NA 11
9/14/98* 53 26 13 8
9/13/98B 52 35 12 1
9/13/98A 48 35 13 4
9/12/98 51 33 13 4
9/11/98 56 30 11 3
9/13/98B = Sunday Evening of 9/13/98
9/13/98A = Sunday Afternoon of 9/13/98
*"As you probably know, special prosecutor Kenneth Starr has issued his report
to Congress. Whose version..."
27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are
handling the investigation of the Lewinsky issue?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
9/28/98 35 60 6
9/21/98 34 62 5
28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are
handling the investigation of the Lewinsky issue?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
9/28/98 40 52 8
29. Now that Congress has received Starr's report what should it do: Should it
hold hearings about possible impeachment of Clinton, or should it drop the
matter?
Hold hearings Drop the matter No opinion
9/28/98 42 55 3
9/13/98B 51 47 1
9/13/98A 52 45 4
9/12/98 53 42 5
Compare To:
Do you think Starr should continue his investigation or drop it?
Continue investigation Drop it No opinion
8/21/98 35 64 2
7/12/98 41 56 4
4/1/98 48 50 2
Compare To:
Do you think the investigation of this issue should end now, or should the
investigation continue in order to find out if Clinton broke any laws by trying to conceal the affair?
Investigation Continue No
should end investigation opinion
8/19/98 62 37 1
8/17/98 69 29 2
8/16/98* 59 39 3
*Language: If Clinton now publicly admits that he did have an affair with
Lewinsky, should the investigation end there, or should the investigation
continue in order to find out if Clinton broke any laws by trying to conceal the affair?
30. If Congress does hold impeachment hearings, which would you prefer:Hearings that end by the end of the year, but do not examine all the issues raised in the Starr report in detail, OR Hearings which examine all the issues raised in the report in detail, but continue into next year.
End of year Continue No opinion
9/28/98 57 38 4
31. Do you think the Republicans in Congress are mainly interested in finding out the truth, or do you think they're mainly interested in hurting Clinton politically?
Truth Hurting Clinton No opinion
9/28/98 29 66 4
32. Do you think the Democrats in Congress are mainly interested in finding out the truth, or do you think they're mainly interested in protecting Clinton politically?
Truth Protecting Clinton No opinion
9/28/98 29 65 7
33. Given what you know, do you think Congress should or should not censure
or officially reprimand Clinton for his actions in the Lewinsky matter?
Should censure Should not censure No opinion
9/28/98 61 33 6
9/21/98 64 31 4
9/14/98* 68 26 6
9/11/98 67 26 8
9/9/98 66 29 4
8/23/98 55 40 5
*"Given what you know..."
COMPARE TO:
Regardless of how you feel about impeachment or resignation, do you think Congress should or should not censure of officially reprimand Clinton for his actions in the Lewinsky matter?
Yes No No opinion
9/13/98 57 38 5
34. Do you think this issue has damaged Clinton's ability to serve effectively
as president, or not? (IF YES ASK: Has it damaged it a great deal, or only
somewhat?)
------------Yes-------------
NET Great Deal Somewhat No No opinion
9/28/98 54 35 19 45 1
9/13/98 58 41 17 42 1
8/23/98 52 27 25 47 2
8/19/98 58 34 24 40 2
© Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company
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