Six in 10 Americans also believe the country currently is headed in the right direction. That's the most optimistic reading in the 25 years the question has been asked in public opinion polls and 17 percentage points higher than in a Post-ABC News survey completed immediately before the allegations became public. But political observers cautioned that the Post poll is merely the latest turn in a wild ride to an uncertain destination that began January 21 with news reports detailing allegations reportedly made by former White House intern Monica Lewinsky that she had an 18-month affair with Clinton. If these allegations of lying are confirmed, then he begins to run into real trouble. You're going to see the public change its views radically.
People really are on the fence here.
The views of survey participants interviewed by reporters supported Jacobs's prediction. We've heard quite a bit of accusations, none of which have been proven, but some close to being proved. . . . Hopefully they'll get it cleared up in a few days. Lies, not sex, remain at the heart of public concern about the scandal. Eight in 10 say they are more concerned over reports that Clinton may have lied under oath about his relationship with Lewinsky than over the claim that the president had an intimate relationship with the young woman.