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Republican Party (United States)

Polarizing Attitudes toward Monica Lewinsky Scandal Threaten Republicans in 1998 Elections

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Monica Lewinsky scandal has become a deeply polarizing issue, with partisanship playing a significant role in shaping public attitudes. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott's flip-flop on the affair has highlighted the party's attempt to defend independent counsel Kenneth Starr, despite his deep unpopularity. According to the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, only 20 percent of Americans have a positive view of Starr, with 61 percent believing he is conducting a partisan investigation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The public views Starr as deeply unpopular, with only 20 percent having a positive attitude toward him, compared to 21 percent who thought well of House Speaker Newt Gingrich at his lowest ebb in June 1997.
  • By 61 to 27 percent, the public believes Starr is using his investigation for partisan political purposes rather than conducting an impartial probe.
  • Congressional Republicans are relying on Starr to provide evidence for an impeachment inquiry, but face the danger of being seen as partisan if he does not produce sufficient evidence to convict President Clinton of obstruction of justice.
  • Top Republicans claim that "no one is above the law" and "we believe this is a nation of laws", suggesting they intend to pursue impeachment for perjury alone, but face the risk of being seen as overreaching if Starr's evidence is not convincing.
  • Rank-and-file Republican activists are demanding a hard line on Clinton, and the latest CBS/New York Times poll shows that 43 percent of Republicans believe he should be impeached or forced to resign if he is shown to have obstructed justice.

Statistics:

  • 20 percent of Americans have a positive attitude toward Starr, according to the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.
  • 61 percent of the public believes Starr is conducting a partisan investigation.
  • 50-37 percent of Republicans think Starr is fair, while 78-11 percent of Democrats and 54-25 percent of independents do not.
  • 74 percent of the public thinks the news media have gone "overboard" on the Lewinsky matter, while 56 percent believe Starr has, and only 21 percent think Clinton's defense team has.
  • 63-30 percent of the public believes Starr was wrong in calling Lewinsky's mother, Marcia Lewis, to testify against her daughter before the grand jury.

Sources:

  • NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.
  • CBS/New York Times poll.
  • Report from CNN's Evans and Novak show, March 6.

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