CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #3, October 1996

This poll, fielded October 17-20, 1996, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, and their 1996 presidental campaign opponents, Senator Bob Dole and Ross Perot. Respondents were asked if they watched the presidential debate on October 16, 1996, if they had seen television ads for Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, or Ross Perot, if they were going to vote for the Republicans or Democrats, and if a Republican Congress would pass more policies than a Democratic one. Opinions were also sought on whether Bob Dole's age was an obstacle to winning the election, if Whitewater was a threat to Bill Clinton's winning the election, and if they knew about the alleged illegal money Al Gore accepted from Indonesian businessmen. Additional questions were asked pertaining to the economy, Medicare, retirement, Social Security, and retirement savings. Background information on respondents includes age, sex, race, education, religion, political party, political orientation, voter participation history, marital status, age of children in household, family income, and computer access.