CBS News Monthly Poll #3, February 1998

Resource Information

The work CBS News Monthly Poll #3, February 1998 represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Bates College. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

CBS News Monthly Poll #3, February 1998

Creator

• CBS News
• Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor]

Author

• CBS News

Contributor

• Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor]

Subject

• Gore, Al
• Hussein, Saddam
• Lewinsky scandal
• Lott, Trent
• Persian Gulf War
• Starr, Kenneth
• diplomacy
• foreign policy
• Albright, Madeleine
• media influence
• military air strikes
• national economy
• presidential performance
• public opinion
• terrorism
• weapons inspections
• international alliances
• Clinton, Bill
• Clinton, Hillary
• Gingrich, Newt

Summary

This poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinions on President Bill Clinton and his handling of the presidency, foreign policy, the economy and the situation with Iraq, Vice President Al Gore, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, independent counsel Kenneth Starr, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Attorney General Janet Reno, the United States Congress, and their district's congressional representative. Those queried were asked what they felt was the greatest problem facing the country today, and to assess the state of the economy. A series of questions focused on the refusal by Saddam Hussein to comply with the United Nations' imposed weapons inspections. Respondents were asked whether they supported United States' military air strikes to force compliance, whether Clinton has sufficiently explained the situation to the American people, whether more time should be devoted to diplomatic efforts, and the role of British, French, and Russian support in United States decision-making regarding Iraq. Additional questions on this topic asked respondents to compare the aftermath of the 1991 Persian Gulf War to the current crisis, specifically Gulf War Syndrome and the use of biological or chemical agents, whether the United States should continue fighting until Hussein is removed from office, and the respondent's fear of possible terrorist attacks. The alleged affair between former White House intern Monica Lewinsky and President Clinton was addressed, with questions focusing on whether the two actually engaged in an affair and whether Clinton encouraged Lewinsky to lie under oath. Additional topics covered Starr's investigation, the overall importance of this scandal to the American people, media coverage and responsibility, and what should happen to Clinton if the allegations are proven true. Background information on respondents includes age, race, sex, education, ethnicity, religion, political party, political orientation, family income, marital status, employment status, voter registration and participation history, and personal and family member service in the Armed Forces