CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #4, October 1998

Résumé 0

This poll, fielded October 26-28, 1998, 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 of President Bill Clinton and his handling of the presidency, foreign policy, and the economy, as well as their views on the United States Congress, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, the Democratic party, and the Republican party. Those queried were asked whether they intended to vote in the upcoming November 1998 congressional elections, for which party's candidates they intended to vote, whether their congressional representative deserved to be reelected, and whether government would work better if all new people were elected that year. Respondents were asked which party they felt would make the right decisions regarding Medicare, education, crime, family values, health care reform, the needs of families, Social Security, and leading the country into the 21st century. Their views were sought on whether Clinton should remain in office, resign, be impeached, or be censured if it were proven that he either lied under oath about his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, or asked her to lie under oath about their relationship. Additional questions on this topic covered the manner in which the House Judiciary Committee was handling the impeachment matter, whether the situation was a crime or "politics", whether respondents had communicated with their congressional representatives regarding the matter, and whether the "Clinton factor" would play a role when they voted for Congress. Additional questions addressed the National Basketball Association labor dispute, including which side was right, the players or the owners, and whether the dispute had affected respondents' interest in professional basketball. Additional questions covered United States spending on space exploration programs, including the upcoming space mission involving John Glenn, and whether the respondent would travel to space if given the opportunity. Background information on respondents includes age, race, sex, political party, political orientation, religion, education, voter registration and participation history, marital status, family income, financial status, age of children in household, and political radio show listening history.