CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #5, January 1998

This poll, fielded January 24-25, 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, moral values, and the economy, as well as their views of the United States Congress, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr. Those queried were asked whether President Clinton had followed through in the following goals of his administration: improving the economy, providing health insurance for everyone, reforming the welfare system, reducing crime, improving race relations, and improving education. Other questions probed for respondents' opinions on former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit against Clinton, the pending trial from that claim, the alleged affair between Clinton and then-White House intern Monica Lewinsky, the national importance of that allegation, and the media coverage of these scandals. Additional topics covered whether Clinton had exhibited a pattern of sexual affairs while in public office, whether he was guilty of obstructing justice, how these allegations compared to Watergate, and whether Kenneth Starr was conducting an impartial investigation. Background information on respondents includes age, race, education, religion, ethnicity, family income, political party, political orientation, voter registration and participation history, marital status, employment status, financial status, and age of children in household.