ABC News/Washington Post Inaugural Poll, January 1997

This special topic poll, conducted January 13-15, 1997, is
part of a continuing series of monthly polls that solicit public
opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social
issues. This data collection was undertaken to assess public opinion
prior to President Bill Clinton's second-term inauguration as
president of the United States. Respondents were asked to give their
opinions of President Clinton and his handling of the first term of
his presidency, whether he would do a better or worse job in his
second term in office, whether they approved of his choices for
Cabinet and other top positions in his administration, and what the
nature of his relationship with Congress should be in his second
term. Views were sought on whether President Clinton had made progress
toward reducing unemployment and improving education during his first
term, and whether he would make substantial progress in these areas
during his second term. Respondents rated the most important issue
facing the country, whether they were better or worse off financially
compared to four years ago, whether they approved of the way Congress
was handling its job, whether they expected Congress to do a better
job in the next two years, and whether they trusted the Clinton
administration or the Republicans in Congress to handle the main
problems the nation would face over the next few years. Other
questions asked whether respondents approved of the way Hillary
Clinton was handling her job as first lady and the amount of influence
she held over her husband, and whether she should play a greater role
in her husband's second administration. A series of questions asked
about recent allegations involving President Clinton, including
Whitewater, the Democratic National Campaign Committee's acceptance of
foreign contributions, and former Arkansas state employee Paula
Jones's sexual harassment charges, and whether they would interfere
with his ability to serve as president. Additional topics addressed
what actions the government should take to protect the long-term
financial stability of Social Security and the Medicare health system
and the overall level of ethics and honesty in politics and the
federal government. Demographic variables include sex, age, race,
education level, household income, political party affiliation,
political philosophy, and voter participation history.