CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #1, December 1998

This poll, fielded December 13-15, 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 and foreign policy, as well as their views of the United States Congress, Vice President Al Gore, House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, and the Republican and Democratic parties. Those queried were asked if they believed that Clinton had said enough regarding his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, whether their affair was a public or a private matter, and whether Clinton could be trusted. A series of questions addressed the Judiciary Committee's December 12, 1998, vote to send the four articles of impeachment to the full House of Representatives for a vote. Topics covered the committee's handling of the inquiry, whether respondents believed that Clinton committed perjury or obstructed justice, whether they had watched any part of the hearings, how they viewed the party-line vote that resulted, and how the decision made them feel. Their views were also sought on how they wanted their representative to vote on the articles of impeachment, what the outcome should be if the House sent the articles to the Senate and a trial were held, whether Clinton's actions warranted impeachment, and the impact that a Senate impeachment trial would have on the nation and the economy. In addition, respondents were asked whether they believed that federal prosecutors should charge and prosecute Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice after he left office, whether it was more important for a president to be a role model or an effective leader, and whether Clinton could still be an effective president. Background information on respondents includes age, race, sex, education, religion, political party, political orientation, marital status, voter registration and participation history, Hispanic descent, and family income.