ABC News Clinton Terrorism Poll, August 1998

This special topic poll, fielded August 19, 1998, sought respondents' views on the presidency and on the United States' decision, earlier in the day, to launch missile attacks against sites in Afghanistan and Sudan that were suspected to have been used by terrorists who attacked two United States embassies in Africa earlier in the month. Respondents were asked whether they believed that the attacks would prove an effective deterrent against future acts of terrorism, whether they trusted President Bill Clinton to handle the United States' response to terrorism, and whether the attacks were for the purpose of combating terrorism or to shift public attention away from the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Those queried were also asked whether they believed that the situation involving Lewinsky had interfered with Clinton's ability to serve effectively as president. Background information on respondents includes sex and political party.