President Clinton Discusses Approval Rating, Immigration, and Economic Recovery

Strategic Insights -

President Clinton expressed concern that a drop in his approval rating is due to limited access to information on important economic issues. He argued that the polls are directly related to how much people know about the administration's record. Clinton cited a recent Senate race in California as an example of how voters are often misinformed due to negative campaigning and lack of access to facts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The President's approval rating has dropped to 40 percent, according to a Newsweek poll.
  • The President believes that polls are directly related to how much people know about the administration's record, with over 60 percent of Americans approving of the administration's work when informed of the facts.
  • Clinton criticized the negative campaigning in the California Senate race, citing the example of Michael Huffington, who spent large amounts of money on TV ads that were not truthful.
  • The President emphasized the need for voters to have access to accurate information in order to make informed decisions in elections.
  • Clinton highlighted the administration's accomplishments, including a 4-year low in unemployment, jobs growing 5 times as fast as under the Bush administration, and programs such as the family leave law, Head Start, and lower-cost college loans.
  • The President asked Congress to appropriate hundreds of millions of dollars to help California deal with the cost of education and health care related to immigration.
  • Clinton expressed opposition to Proposition 187, citing concerns that it is unconstitutional and will unfairly target children.
  • The President emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws while preserving California's diversity.

Statistics:

  • The President's approval rating has dropped to 40 percent, according to a Newsweek poll.
  • 60 percent of Americans approve of the administration's work when informed of the facts.
  • Unemployment has reached a 4-year low.
  • Jobs are growing 5 times as fast as under the Bush administration.
  • The economy is recovering, with the lowest unemployment rate in California in 3 years.

Sources:

  • Newsweek poll
  • The President's conversation with KCBS