Scandal File: Poll Position

A CURSORY look at the polls in the Lewinsky Affair suggests some superficial conclusions: that they are President Clinton’s best refuge; that they demonstrate a “values deficit” on the part of the American people; and, finally, that they show that the public has a schizophrenic attitude toward their President. But none of these conclusions are necessarily true.

Clinton’s armor is beginning to show serious cracks. While his job-approval rating rose slightly in a Zogby International survey taken immediately after his “apology” speech, his personal favorability dipped some, and a majority of likely voters told us that they feel that the Presidency has been diminished. Significantly, by 5 to 1, Americans blame Clinton rather than Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr for this cheapening of an institution they revere.

JZ

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John Zogby

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A CURSORY look at the polls in the Lewinsky Affair suggests some superficial conclusions: that they are President Clinton’s best refuge; that they demonstrate a “values deficit” on the part of the American people; and, finally, that they show that the public has a schizophrenic attitude toward their President. But none of these conclusions are necessarily true.

Clinton’s armor is beginning to show serious cracks. While his job-approval rating rose slightly in a Zogby International survey taken immediately after his “apology” speech, his personal favorability dipped some, and a majority of likely voters told us that they feel that the Presidency has been diminished. Significantly, by 5 to 1, Americans blame Clinton rather than Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr for this cheapening of an institution they revere.