2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress is doing its job?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
10/10/98 45 49 7
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
3. 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
10/10/98 62 22 16
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
4. Overall, how much do you think Congress has accomplished in the pastyear: A great deal, a good amount, not too much, or nothing at all?
Great Good Not too Nothing No
Net deal amount Net much at all opin.
10/10/98 44 8 37 52 43 9 4
10/23/94 18 2 15 81 68 14 1
9/11/94 21 2 19 79 67 12 *
6/26/94 24 4 20 74 65 9 1
*Asked "in the past 18 months"
5. 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.
10/10/98 52 34 2 8 4
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"
6. 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.
10/10/98 39 45 9 7
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
7. 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.
10/10/98 47 36 4 8 5
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
8. The November election is for all seats for the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as some U.S. Senate, some governorships and local races. How closely are you following the upcoming election -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely or not closely at all?
------Closely------ ------Not Closely-------- No
NET Very Smewht NET Not too Not at all opinion
10/10/98 60 17 43 40 27 13 1
9/28/98 61 18 43 38 28 10 *
COMPARE TO:
As you may know, an election for the U.S. House of Representatives is coming up on November 8. Some states are also having elections for
Governor and U.S. Senator. How closely are you following the upcoming
election -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely or not closely
at all?
------Closely------ ------Not Closely-------- No
NET Very Smewht NET Not too Not at all opinion
10/23/94 61 21 39 39 26 13 -
9. I'd like you to rate the chances that you will vote in the next election for Congress - are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, or are the chances 50-50 or less that you will vote?
Absolutely Probably Chances 50-50 No
certain to vote Vote Or less Opinion
10/10/98 56 20 24 1
9/28/98 63 18 18 1
7/12/98 61 20 19 *
1/19/98 63 17 20 *
10. (and 11) Thinking about the U.S. House of Representatives election
in November, 1998 in the Congressional District where you live, if that
election were being held today, for whom would you vote: the Democratic
candidate or the Republican candidate?
Registered voters:
Neither Wouldn't
Democrat Republican (vol.) vote (vol.) No opin.
10/10/98 50 40 4 2 4
9/28/98 49 44 2 * 4
9/13/98 49 43 3 1 4
8/21/98 48 45 3 1 3
7/12/98 47 45 2 # 6
1/31/98 49 40 2 1 8
1/19/98 47 44 3 1 5
11/96 ACTUAL 50 50
10/8/96 51 41 2 1 5
9/29/96 48 41 3 1 7
9/22/96 50 43 2 1 4
9/15/96 49 45 1 1 4
9/4/96 48 44 3 * 5
8/29/96 53 39 3 1 5
8/28/96 51 40 3 1 5
8/27/96 51 41 3 0 5
8/26/96 51 41 3 0 5
8/25/96 48 43 3 1 6
8/24/96 47 43 2 1 6
8/19/96 49 42 3 0 6
8/18/96 45 46 3 0 6
8/15/96 46 43 4 1 5
8/14/96 48 42 3 1 6
8/13/96 49 43 3 0 5
8/12/96 49 42 3 1 5
8/11/96 49 40 4 1 6
8/10/96 49 41 4 1 5
8/4/96 48 45 2 1 4
6/30/96 49 44 3 * 3
5/22/96 52 41 3 1 3
3/10/96 51 43 2 * 4
1/21/96 52 43 3 1 1
10/1/95 49 44 3 * 3
11/94 ACTUAL 46.5 53.5
11/6/94 47 42 5 2 5
10/31/94 48 44 4 1 3
10/23/94 50 45 2 1 2
10/9/94 46 47 3 2 2
9/11/94 50 45 1 1 4
8/7/94 49 42 4 1 4
2/27/94 50 40 8 1 2
11/92 ACTUAL 51 46
10/21/91 51 41 4 * 4
7/28/91 49 41 6 * 3
6/2/91 48 42 4 1 5
11/90 ACTUAL 54 46
11/4/90 51 41 5 * 3
10/14/90 50 41 5 * 3
9/9/90 47 46 3 * 3
7/24/90 51 41 4 1 4
5/21/90 47 45 5 1 2
11/88 ACTUAL 54 46
9/21-10/10/88 52 41 2 1 4
9/19/88 51 39 3 1 6
11/86 ACTUAL 55 45
6/22/85 48 44 5 * 3
11/84 ACTUAL 53 47
10/16/84 52 44 2 NA 5
9/11/84 53 45 2 NA 1
7/8/84 58 40 2 NA 1
11/82 ACTUAL 57 43
10/27/82 58 39 NA NA 3
10/11/82 55 36 NA NA 9
9/13/82 58 36 NA NA 6
11/22/81 53 41 NA NA 7
11/80 ACTUAL 51 49
11/78 ACTUAL 54 46
11/76 ACTUAL 57 43
Likely voters and Certain Voters:
Neither Wouldn't
Democrat Republican (vol.) vote (vol.) No opin.
10/10/98CV 49 45 1 0 5
10/10/98LV 51 42 2 * 5
9/28/98CV 46 49 2 * 3
9/28/98LV 47 47 2 * 4
9/13/98 49 46 3 * 3
10/8/96 48 44 2 1 5
9/29/96 48 43 3 1 6
9/22/96 50 44 2 * 4
9/15/96 47 48 2 * 3
9/4/96 47 46 3 * 4
8/29/96 53 39 3 0 5
8/28/96 49 41 3 0 6
8/27/96 50 43 3 0 5
8/26/96 49 43 3 0 5
8/25/96 46 45 3 0 5
8/24/96 45 46 2 0 6
8/19/96 47 45 2 0 6
8/18/96 45 47 3 0 5
8/15/96 46 44 4 1 5
8/14/96 46 44 3 1 6
8/13/96 47 45 3 0 5
8/12/96 48 44 3 0 5
8/11/96 48 41 5 0 6
8/10/96 47 43 4 1 5
8/4/96 48 46 1 1 4
10/23/94 49 47 1 * 2
10/9/94 47 49 3 1 1
11/4/90 52 41 5 * 3
10/14/90 48 43 5 0 3
9/9/90 47 45 3 * 4
7/24/90 52 40 4 * 3
10/16/84 51 45 2 NA 4
9/11/84 51 46 1 NA 1
7/8/84 54 44 2 NA *
10/27/82 59 39 NA NA 2
10/11/82 55 38 NA NA 7
12. 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
10/10/98 15 12 68 5
9/28/98 14 13 71 2
13. 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
10/10/98 61 35 3
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
14. 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.
10/10/98 31 25 6 64 53 11 4
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?
15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling the issue of impeachment?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
10/10/98 31 62 7
COMPARE TO:
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
16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling the issue of impeachment?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
10/10/98 39 49 12
COMPARE TO:
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
17. As you may know, the US House of Representatives recently voted to begin a formal inquiry into whether or not Clinton should be impeached. Do you approve or disapprove of the decision to hold formal impeachment hearings?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
10/10/98 45 52 4
18. The hearings will be focused on the charges relating to the Lewinsky matter, but will also be open to other allegations against President Clinton. This open-ended format was patterned on the Watergate hearings. Do you approve of the decision to open the hearings to other allegations, or would you have preferred hearings limited to the Lewinsky matter?
Open hearings Limited hearings No opinion
10/10/98 43 48 9
19. 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. opin.
10/10/98 14 6 9 25 14 11 57 3
9/28/98 21 10 12 29 15 14 48 2
20. 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
10/10/98 23 71 6
9/28/98 29 66 4
21. 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
10/10/98 26 63 11
9/28/98 29 65 7
22. 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
10/10/98 59 35 6
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
23. Just your best guess, do you think Clinton will serve out the rest of his term, or do you think he will leave office through resignation or impeachment?
Serve out term Leave office No opinion
10/10/98 70 25 5
9/13/98 69 27 4
© Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company
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