(18 Aug 1998) STORY
English/Nat
President Clinton has provoked both support and condemnation from people in America, after his admission on Monday night that he had an "inappropriate relationship" with Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton supporters say they expect the president to put Kenneth Starr's investigation behind him and get back to running the country.
But some Republican members of Congress aren't ready to let the story die, just yet.
In the end, analysts say the public's opinion will determine the outcome.
Americans have reacted with mixed reaction to President Clinton's speech the night before.
Even those who are not interested in the story were discussing the events of the last 12 hours on the way to work.
Early polls were in Clinton's favour, with around 60 percent of people in a CBS and New York Times survey saying they were satisfied with the president's statement.
Sixty-nine percent of those in an ABC News poll said the investigation should now be dropped.
In a nationally televised address, Clinton reversed his claims of the past eight months, and admitted to an inappropriate relationship with former White House intern, Monica Lewinsky.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Indeed I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President
While some condemn the President for not coming forward earlier, others say he does not owe the public an apology.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I don't really think the American public was expecting an apology, I mean, Kenneth Starr and a lot of Republicans and some Democrats seemed to think that he owed us an apology, and I think they think he owes them an apology. I mean the polls show that Americans really are not expecting an apology and we really wanted this issue dropped a long time ago."
SUPER CAPTION: Sarah Myers, Voxpop
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well it's coloured by my general views which are that this is a private matter and should have been considered a private matter, and that it's not a legitimate subject of public enquiry. So I think he said about as much as is called for."
SUPER CAPTION: Peter Connelly, Voxpop
Most people have said that it is time for Ken Starr's investigation to end.
But some blamed President Clinton for the past seven months of wasted tax-payers' money.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think he should have done that to begin with. Not saying he didn't do this and that, but saying he didn't do anything, and then he had to wait until they investigated him until he was forced into it, to finally admit to what he actually did."
SUPER CAPTION: Pamela Roberge, Voxpop
On morning news shows, friends and advisers rallied around the president, reiterating his plea for an end to the investigation.
On NBC's "Today Show," Clinton advisor, James Carville said he expect the public to forgive the President.
On ABC's "Good Morning America," similar remarks were made by White House Communications Director Ann Lewis.
However, the Lewinsky scandal will not die down soon.
There is still more testimony to come before Ken Starr's grand jury.
And members of Congress must decide whether to take up impeachment hearings.
But much of that will hinge upon how the public feels about the President...after all the dust settles.
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