Poll: White House Trying To Obstruct, Delay Starr Probe
By Keating Holland/CNN
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, June 8) -- Most Americans believe that President Bill Clinton is trying to obstruct and delay the investigation being conducted by Independent Counsel Ken Starr, but they do see some merit in the legal issues the White House has raised, according to the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll.
A majority believe it is inappropriate for Starr to call as witnesses either Secret Service personnel or White House lawyers, like Bruce Lindsey, who work directly with Clinton, even if they are paid by the government.
And 57 percent think Starr is mostly trying to damage Clinton politically, rather than simply finding out the facts, and that figure has grown since January.
A majority also have an unfavorable view of Starr. Bill Ginsburg, Monica Lewinsky's former attorney, doesn't fare much better. Forty-five percent of the public has an unfavorable impression of him.
The survey of 1,003 adults was conducted June 5-7 and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.
Is Clinton Trying to Obstruct Ken Starr's Investigation? |
Yes No | 57% 35% |
Ken Starr's Attempts To Get Testimony From... |
| Appropriate | Inappropriate |
Secret Service White House lawyers | 45% 43% | 54% 54% |
Starr Is Trying To... |
| Now | January |
Damage Clinton politically Find the facts | 57% 38% | 48% 38% |
Opinion of Ken Starr |
| Now | January |
Favorable Unfavorable Unsure | 29% 50% 21% | 20% 38% 42% |
Opinion of Bill Ginsburg |
Favorable Unfavorable Unsure | 19% 45% 36% |
What about the latest allegations the Clinton Administration allowed China to get sensitive missile technology because of large contributions to the Democratic party in 1996? A majority of the country believes that those allegations are true, but for now, they are letting Clinton off the hook.
Only 15 percent believe that Clinton did anything illegal in these matters; 41 percent think he did something unethical but not illegal and 32 percent say he did nothing seriously wrong.
The public feels about the same way concerning Democratic party officials. Nonetheless, about half the country favors a special congressional committee investigating these matters.
Only a third say the Justice Department is doing enough to investigate the China connection.
Although some Republicans leaders say Clinton should drop his plans to visit China until this issue is concluded, a majority of Americans see nothing wrong with Clinton visiting China.
Allegations That China Got Missile Technology Due To Campaign Contributions |
True Not true | 52% 35% |
Clinton's Actions Regarding Missile Technology to China |
Illegal Unethical Nothing wrong | 15% 41% 32% |
Should Congress Investigate Missile Technology To China? |
Yes No | 49% 37% |
Clinton's Decision To Visit China |
Approve Disapprove | 54% 34% |
Clinton's approval rating has dropped slightly in the past month, but, at 60 percent, it remains robust. In comparison, former President Ronald Reagan had a 61 percent approval rating in June of his sixth year in office.
Clinton's approval is identical to what it was before the Monica Lewinsky allegations first surfaced, indicating that the "bounce" Clinton got from the events of mid-January has now dissipated and his standing with the public has returned to a more normal level.
There is a wide gap, however, between public views of Clinton's economic policy and his foreign policy; 71 percent approve of how he is handling the economy while 57 percent approve of how his is handling foreign policy.
Clinton Approval Rating |
Now May March January | 60% 54% 67% 60% |
Approve of How Clinton Is Handling... |
Economy Foreign policy | 71% 57% |
How would Elizabeth Dole fare if she won her party's nomination in the year 2000? She is in a dead heat against the Democratic frontrunner Al Gore, but would beat first lady Hillary Clinton handily.
If the election were held today, a Dole-Gore match-up would be a statistical tie with 48 percent of all Americans voting for Dole and 46 percent for Gore. In a hypothetical race against the first lady, Dole would be the choice of 55 percent of all Americans to just 40 percent for Mrs. Clinton.
Presidential Choice in 2000 |
Elizabeth Dole Al Gore | 48% 46% |
Presidential Choice in 2000 |
Elizabeth Dole Hillary Clinton | 55% 40% |
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