Poll: Public Believes Alleged Affair is True

WASHINGTON (Jan. 21) -- The latest allegations about President Clinton's alleged affair with a former White House intern has not yet had any effect on the public's opinion of him, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.

His approval rating hasn't statistically changed since a poll taken last weekend, despite the public's general belief that there was a sexual relationship.

A majority of the public, 54 percent, is already convinced that the allegations of the affair are true, and 49 percent believe the charge that Clinton lied under oath. But more than half, 51 percent, do not believe that he attempted to get the woman, Monica Lewinsky, to do the same.

The public is evenly divided -- at 46 percent -- over whether Clinton should be impeached and removed from office if the charges of perjury or suborning (inducing) perjury are proven to be true.

If they are not true, 52 percent believe that having an affair is not relevant to the president's character and ability to serve. And an overwhelming majority, 72 percent, believe any affair that would have occurred before he took office is not relevant. But the same number believe any attempt to obstruct justice is relevant.

The poll was conducted Wednesday in interviews with 676 adult Americans. It has a margin of error plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Wednesday Jan. 21, 1998

• Clinton Denies Affair With Intern, Cover-up
• Clinton's Legal Woes Converge Into Thunderstorm
• Alexander's Plane Successfully Belly-Lands

Poll:
• Public Believes Alleged Affair is True

Transcripts:
• Clinton Interview With Jim Lehrer
• Clinton Interview On NPR's "All Things Considered"
• White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry's Briefing