Poll: Most will watch Clinton tape, though few think it should be released

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Poll: Most will watch Clinton tape, though few think it should be released

Keating Holland/CNN

WASHINGTON (Sept. 21) -- Although nearly half the public says they will watch the videotape of President Bill Clinton's grand jury testimony on Monday, only 37 percent say that Congress should release it, according to the latest CNN/Gallup poll.

One reason: a large majority of Americans already believe that Clinton lied under oath to the grand jury about his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky -- yet most don't consider that to be an impeachable offense.

Six in ten Americans think that Congress should not impeach Clinton and remove him from office. The number of people who favor impeachment has risen to 35 percent -- up four points from last week, as is the number of Americans who favor Clinton resigning. However, that four-point difference is within the margin of error and does not represent a statistically significant increase.

About one in five Americans plans to watch the videotape of Clinton's testimony as it is released to the public.

The survey of 637 adult Americans was conducted September 20, 1998 and has a margin of sampling error of four percentage points.

Do you approve of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job as president?

Now
Sept. 13
Sept. 11-12

60%
64%
63%

Based on what you know at this point do you think that Bill Clinton should or should be impeached and removed from office?

Yes
No

Now Sept. 13

35% 31%

60% 66%

Do you think Bill Clinton should resign now and turn the presidency over to Al Gore?

Yes
No

Now Sept. 13

40% 36%

56% 62%

As you may know, tomorrow morning Congress will publicly release the videotape of Clinton's testimony before the Ken Starr grand jury Do you think Congress should or should not release the videotape of Clinton's testimony to the public?

Yes
No

37%
62%

As you may know, Congress will also release publicly about 2,800 pages of documents related to the Clinton investigation that Ken Starr turned over to Congress when he submitted his report. Do you think Congress should or should not release these documents to the public?

Yes
No

46%
53%

The videotape of Clinton's testimony will be released on Monday. Do you plan to watch any of it on television, or not? If yes: Do you plan to watch at least some of the videotape on television as soon as it is available, watch at least some of it when the full videotape is rebroadcast later, or only watch the excerpts the news shows broadcast later in the day?

As it is released
Later in the day
Only excerpts
on news shows
Won't watch
it at all

19%
8%
15%

55%

Based on what you have read or heard, do you believe that President Clinton should be impeached and removed from office?

Definitely true
Probably true
Probably not true
Definitely not true

47%
40%
5%
2%

If you were convinced that Bill Clinton lied under oath about his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky to the grand jury in the Ken Starr investigation would you think that Clinton should or should or should not be impeached and removed from office?

Impeachable offense
Not impeachable offense

39%
56%

The videotape may be released Monday at the same time that President Clinton may be giving a speech to leaders of other countries at the United Nations. In your opinion, should the release of the videotape be postponed because of that, or should the videotape be released as currently planned?

Yes
No

38%
56%

As you may know, Monday is Rosh Hashanah, one of the major Jewish religious holidays. In your opinion, should the release of the videotape be postponed because of that, or should the videotape be released as currently planned?

Yes
No

33%
58%

AllPolitics' in-depth look at the investigation into the president's relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

HEADLINES
Starr puts first lady on witness list for Hubbell trial (6-23-99) Hatch demands conclusion to Justice probe of Starr (6-17-99) Starr: Independent Counsel Act should not be renewed (4-14-99) Clinton's contempt citation not a surprise to many (4-13-99) MORE HEADLINES and 1998 ARCHIVES

DOCUMENTS
Closed-door statements of senators Full text of the articles of impeachment Starr report or use the interactive guide

INTERACTIVE
Acquittal Reaction Timeline

PLAYERS
Cast of characters

'TOONS
Bill Mitchell: Thank you sir, may I have another? (8-20-99) more More impeachment toons

DISCUSSION
Message Board: Independent counsel Voter's voice

Poll: Most will watch Clinton tape, though few think it should be released

Keating Holland/CNN

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Monday, September 21, 1998