CBS News Lying Poll, May 1997

This special topic poll, fielded May 6-8, 1997, 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. Views were sought on the events surrounding the 1996 Democratic fundraising activities and the White House's involvement in them, whether President Clinton and Vice President Gore did anything wrong or illegal, and whether Congress should investigate the matter. Respondents gave their opinions of Vice President Al Gore, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and how well members of the United States Congress were handling their jobs. Several questions asked how satisfied respondents were with their job, whether it was their dream job, and if not, what their dream job would be. Other questions addressed whether lying and keeping secrets was ever justified, how often respondents lied to others and were lied to, and their ability to tell a lie and detect when others were lying. Additional topics addressed the most important quality in a doctor, how concerned respondents were about germs, whether tobacco companies were telling the truth about the health risks of smoking, and whether they should be held legally responsible for smoking-related illness and deaths. Information was also collected on whether respondents smoked, whether they had a child in the ninth grade, and whether they identified themselves as multiracial. Demographic variables include sex, race, age, household income, education level, employment status, occupation, religious preference, frequency of religious attendance, political party affiliation, political philosophy, voter participation history and registration status, length of time living at current residence, the presence of children and teenagers in the household, and type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural).