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Most Americans Think Their Moral Standards Are Higher Than Clinton's

But optimism about economy, Clinton's job approval rating remain high

By Keating Holland/CNN

WASHINGTON (March 23) -- President Bill Clinton's standing with the public remains high despite the fact that 69 percent of Americans say their moral standards are higher than his, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll.

The country is still split over whether to believe Clinton or Kathleen Willey, but the number of Americans with an unfavorable view of the former White House aide has grown by 11 points in the past week in the face of a White House effort to undercut about her credibility. She has accused Clinton of groping her outside the Oval Office, but he has denied impropriety.

By a thin margin, the public thinks the White House has not gone too far in attacking the credibility of the women involved in allegations about Clinton's sexual behavior.

Clinton is helped by the perception that he did something immoral with Willey, but not illegal. And the public does not believe the charges against him are an impeachable offense. Only a third would support Congress impeaching Clinton if the charges that he made a sexual advance toward Willey and lied about it are true.

Significantly, though, a majority would support a vote of censure, formal disapproval of Clinton that would not remove him from office, if Willey's story is true.

The survey of 1,010 adults was conducted March 20-22, and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

Here are the numbers:

(Women refers to Kathleen Willey, Paula Jones, and Monica Lewinsky)(Censure defined as "express formal disapproval of his actions, but do not remove him from office)
Your Moral Standards Compared To Clinton's
Higher
Same
Lower

69%
22%
3%
Opinion of Kathleen Willey

Favorable
Unfavorable
Unsure

Now
18%
40%
42%
Last Week
23%
29%
58%
Who Do You TendTo Believe More?

Bill Clinton
Kathleen Willey

Now
45%
41%
Last Week
40%
43%
White House Attacks On Women's Credibility
Gone too far
Not gone too far

43%
48%
Clinton's Involvement With Kathleen Willey
Illegal
Immoral
Not wrong

12%
44%
36%
What Should Congress Do If Willey's Charges Are True?
Impeach Clinton
Censure Clinton
Take no action

34%
53%
11%

Public optimism about the economy is at two-decade high

Clinton's approval rating, now at 66 percent, essentially remains at an all-time high for him, and is higher than President Ronald Reagan's at this stage of his second term.

Why is Clinton riding so high? One reason is that the public's optimism about the economy is the highest it has been in over two decades. A majority of Americans continue to say that Clinton's personal life does not matter to them as long as he does a good job of running the country.

Fifty-five percent say they are better off now than they were a year ago. That's significant because a majority have never reported being personally better off at any time since 1976, when Gallup first started asking this question.

Seventy-one percent say they will be financially better off a year from now than they are today, another historically high figure.

Most Americans do not think that Clinton is honest and trustworthy, or that he shows good judgment or shares their values. But that is more than offset by the 77 percent who say he can get things done and the 72 percent who say he is an effective manager.

Sixty-four percent say Clinton does a good job representing America to the world, an important figure for a president who is just starting his first international visit since allegations about his personal life first surfaced. Clinton is on a six-nation trip to Africa.

Clinton Approval Rating
Approve
Disapprove

66%
28%
Personal Life Doesn't Matter If Clinton Runs Country Well
Agree
Disagree

54%
45%
Personal Financial Situation Compared To A Year Ago
Better
Same
Worse

55%
24%
20%
Personal Financial Situation A Year From Now
Better
Same
Worse

71%
14%
9%
Descriptions of Clinton

Honest and trustworthy
Shares your values
Shows good judgment
Can get things done
Effective manager
Does a good job representing U.S. to the world

Yes
33%
38%
42%
77%
72%
64%
No
61%
57%
54%
21%
23%
34%
Does Clinton Do A Good Job Representing U.S. To World?
Yes
No

64%
34%
In Other News

Monday March 23, 1998

Lewinsky Father: Executive Privilege Will Prolong Daughter's Suffering
State Sanctions Contribute To Dropping Welfare Rolls
Ex-Ron Brown Partner Claims Clintons Backed 'Sale' Of Trade Seats
Pesky Old Reality Intrudes On 'Primary Colors'
Jones Legal Team Says 'Sexual Aversion' Claim Not New

Poll:
Most Americans Think Their Moral Standards Are Higher Than Clinton's


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