How the Public Feels About Nixon and Watergate Now
Last August, most Americans (60%) wanted President Nixon to stay in office; now, just fewer than half (49%) do. At the same time, the number who want Nixon to resign has increased from 20% to 29%, but those who want him impeached have held steady at 10%, chiefly because three out of five Americans fear that impeachment would tear the country apart. Nonetheless, close to 43% would favor holding a special presidential election in 1974, if that were possible.
Those conclusions were drawn from a nationwide telephone poll of 778 adults conducted for TIME on two days last week by Daniel Yankelovich Inc. For purposes of comparison, the questions covered somewhat the same areas as a Yankelovich poll taken for TIME in August. Allowing for a 3% sampling error, the results can be projected to the total adult population of the U.S. Further questions and answers:
Do you think that the President knew about or participated in the cover-up of Watergate?
Knew 68%
Didn't know 18%
Not sure 14%
The proportion of people who believe Nixon knew about the cover-up--or helped in it--has increased by eight percentage points since the last survey for TIME, but among Republicans it has been dramatic, going from 37% in August to 52% now.
Would you have more confidence that the whole truth about Watergate will come out if the new special prosecutor appointed by the President is in charge, or if Congress were to appoint its own special Watergate prosecutor?
Nixon's special prosecutor 12
Congress's special prosecutor 64%
No difference 10%
Won't know truth in any case 4%
Not sure 10%
Do you personally feel that all the talk about resignation or impeachment of President Nixon is a serious matter or likely to blow over?
Serious 47%
Blow over 34%
Not sure 4%
In connection with Watergate, do you feel that President Nixon has been acting as if he were above the law, or do you feel personally that he has been acting within his rights?
Above the law 47%
Within his rights 42%
Not sure 11%
Do you feel that Mr. Nixon has violated his promise to the American people to get to the bottom of the Watergate affair, or do you feel that he is keeping his promise?
Violating his promise 56%
Keeping his promise 32%
Not sure 12%
As far as the missing tapes are concerned, do you feel that Mr. Nixon is telling the truth that the tapes were not made, or do you feel he is trying to cover up his personal involvement in Watergate?
Telling the truth 25%
Trying to cover up 55%
Not sure 20%
Nixons credibility has dropped substantially. In August, of those who had heard or read about his Aug. 15 television speech on Watergate, some 39% thought that he was telling the truth and 14% were not sure. Not surprisingly, in last week's survey, Democrats believed his explanation about the tapes least--some 15%, compared with 46% of the Republicans.
Questions have been raised about Mr. Nixon's personal finances. Do you feel that he has been involved in financial wrongdoing or not?
Yes 50%
No 31%
Not sure 19%
If Mr. Nixon were to resign, would you be satisfied to have Congressman Gerald Ford, the Republican minority leader, as President, dissatisfied, or doesn't it make any difference to you?
Satisfied 38%
Dissatisfied 24%
No difference 17%
Not sure 21%
Would you be satisfied or dissatisfied to have Carl Albert, the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives, as President, or doesn't it make any difference to you?
Satisfied 22%
Dissatisfied 34%
No difference 22%
Not sure 22%
Last August, by better than two to one (53% to 25%), the American public was dissatisfied with the idea of having Spiro T. Agnew as President if Nixon were to resign. In sharp contrast, 35% of the Democrats and 46% of the Republicans would be satisfied to have Ford succeed to the White House, and only 26% of the Democrats and 16% of the Republicans would be dissatisfied. Indeed, a greater number of Democrats would rather see Ford as President than Albert, a state of affairs that Yankelovich analysts ascribe to the public sentiment that no partisan advantage should be taken of Watergate. Only 29% of the Democrats and 17% of the Republicans said that they would be satisfied with Albert as a successor.
Just before President Nixon's 1972 re-election triumph, a TIME-Yankelovich Poll found that 58% of the public felt that things were going well in the country; 42% thought that they were going badly or were not sure. Last week the findings were:
How do you feel that things are going in the country these days?
Very well 3%
Fairly well 24%
Pretty badly 43%
Very badly 29%
No answer 1%
And how are things going in your own personal life?
Very well 45%
Fairly well 46%
Pretty badly 6%
Very badly 2%
No answer 1%
These results indicate that nothing has happened to relieve the general mood of public despair. Nor have Americans' opinions about how well things are going in their personal lives changed significantly. Putting this seeming paradox together with answers to other questions, Yankelovich analysts conclude that Americans are "undoubtedly leary" of any change, like impeachment, that could upset their own personal sense of well being.
The public obviously believes that some attempt is being made to manipulate Watergate for political advantage. Roughly half of those interviewed, ranging from 63% of the Republicans to 35% of the Democrats, feel that talk of impeachment or resignation is "partisan politics, unfair and irresponsible." Moreover, the country is evenly divided over Nixon's accusation that the press coverage of him and his Administration has been seriously distorted; 44% agree, 45% do not.
Clearly, Watergate has eroded the public's confidence in Nixon's fitness as leader of the country. Last August, two out of three thought that his ability to govern had been seriously damaged, but 55% still believed that he was the best man for the office. Now only 43% think so, and nearly three out of four think that Watergate has injured his ability to govern. Moreover, his foreign policy skill no longer overwhelmingly makes up for Watergate in the public mind. Those interviewed who think that Nixon's impeachment or resignation would seriously hurt U.S. foreign relations have dropped nine percentage points, to 63%.
Increasingly, the public believes that the country's condition would improve more rapidly if Nixon left the White House. One out of four Americans agreed with that assessment last August; now 33% do. Still more Americans (49%, compared with 60% last August), however, do not think that Nixon's leaving office would have any fundamental effect on how fast things improve. That indicates the depth of the public malaise over Watergate and the erosion of confidence in politicians and government generally.
This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.