Poll: Too Much Lewinsky Coverage
Most people think there is too much, consider media irresponsible
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Jan. 29) -- Nearly three-quarters of Americans think there has been too much news media coverage of allegations that President Bill Clinton had an affair with a young White House intern, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.
Seventy-two percent said there has been too much coverage since the scandal broke last week, 22 percent said there has been the right amount and 4 percent say too little.
The survey was based on interviews with 672 adults on Wednesday and has a margin of sampling error of +/- 4 percentage points to +/- 5 percentage points, depending on the question.
QUESTION: Do you think there has been too much coverage of the allegations about Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky in the news media, about the right amount, or too little?
Media Coverage of Allegations of Affair |
Too much Right amount Too little |
|
72% 22% 4% |
QUESTION: Overall, do you feel the news media have acted responsibly or irresponsibly in this matter?
Have Media Acted Responsibly? |
Yes No |
|
37% 55% |
QUESTION: In general, which do you think media are more concerned with in their coverage of the allegations made about Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky...
(A) Being certain that a news story is accurate before they report it publicly,
OR
(B) Being the first media organization to report a news story
Media Have Been More Concerned With... |
Getting it first Getting it right |
|
77% 19% |
QUESTION: How do you think most journalists personally feel about President Clinton's recent troubles concerning these allegations? Do you think...
(A) They enjoy Clinton's difficulties
(B) They are unhappy about the situation
(C) They don't much care one way or the other
Most Journalists' Personal Feelings |
Enjoyment Unhappy Don't care |
|
33% 22% 40% |
Clinton's job approval rating highest ever
In the wake of his State of the Union speech, Clinton's favorable rating has risen by 10 points, and his approval rating, now 67 percent, has never been higher. The effect of Tuesday night's speech, like that of most speeches, will probably only be temporary, but it also extends to the public's view of the allegations that Clinton had an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
A majority of the public continues to believe that the two had an affair, but that figure has dropped nine points since the beginning of the week, and the number who believe that Clinton lied under oath about the affair or tried to get Lewinsky to do so have dropped even further.
Nonetheless, despite his current high ratings, the public has still not passed final judgment on Clinton. Only 44 percent are satisfied with Clinton's denials in these matters; slightly more -- 47 percent -- feel Clinton needs to say more about these allegations.
Here are the numbers:
Clinton Favorable Rating |
Now Jan. 25-26 |
|
63% 53% |
Clinton Approval Rating |
Approve Disapprove |
|
67% 28% |
Believe Allegations That Clinton... |
Had an affair Lied under oath Tried to obstruct justice |
|
Now 52% 46% 36% |
Jan. 25-26 61% 56% 48% |
Clinton's Public Statements |
Satisfied with denials Clinton needs to say more |
|
44% 47% |
Skepticism about Lewinsky, Starr
The events of the past few days, including Hillary Clinton's attack on independent counsel Kenneth Starr as well as the press conference by someone claiming to be a former lover of Monica Lewinsky, has also affected public attitudes in these matters.
More than two-thirds currently have an unfavorable view of Lewinsky, and unfavorable views of Starr have also risen. Most Americans believe -- as Mrs. Clinton charged on Tuesday -- that Starr is using the criminal justice system to achieve political ends.
Only 28 percent think that Starr is conducting a fair and impartial investigation. The public is split, however, over whether the current controversy is due more to a right-wing conspiracy or is mostly a result of Clinton's own behavior.
Opinion of Monica Lewinsky |
Favorable Unfavorable |
|
Now 13% 69% |
Jan. 24-25 29% 49% |
More To Blame For Current Controversy? |
Right-wing conspiracy Clinton's own behavior |
|
44% 46% |
Public sets Clinton's personal life aside
While the State of the Union speech made Americans feel more confident about Clinton's ability to carry out his duties as president, a majority continue to say that he sets a bad moral example, and that opinion remains virtually unchanged since the start of the week. Then why is Clinton's approval rating so high? It's because 56 percent say that Clinton's personal life doesn't matter to them, as long as he does a good job of running the country.
Clinton's Ability To Carry Out His Duties |
Very confident Somewhat confident Not confident |
|
Now 42% 34% 22% |
Jan. 23-26 28% 35% 36% |
Clinton's Moral Example |
Good Poor/TD>
|
|
Now 43% 51% |
Jan. 23-26 40% 56% |
Does Clinton's Personal Life Matter To You? |
Yes Nor |
|
41% 56% |
|