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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.

Also in this poll:

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...
AppropriateInappropriate
Secret Service
White House lawyers
45%
43%
54%
54%
Starr Is Trying To...
NowJanuary
Damage Clinton politically
Find the facts
57%
38%
48%
38%
Opinion of Ken Starr
NowJanuary
Favorable
Unfavorable
Unsure
29%
50%
21%
20%
38%
42%
Opinion of Bill Ginsburg
Favorable
Unfavorable
Unsure
19%
45%
36%

China and U.S. missile technology

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

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%

2000 presidential race

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%

In Other News

Monday, June 8, 1998

Poll: White House Trying To Obstruct Starr Probe
Starr Seeks Lawyer Notes; Supreme Court To Decide Foster Case
Navy Secretary Steps Down
Ginsburg Defends Monica's 'Vanity Fair' Photo Shoot
Tobacco Bill May Not Be Dead Yet
Clinton Targets Illegal Drugs In U.N. Talk


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