THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 20, 1994 TAG: 9409200344
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
President Clinton's announcement that Haiti's military leaders will step down has done wonders for his image.
In a poll taken Sunday night - after Clinton's speech announcing a U.S.-led invasion would not be necessary - ABC News found that 55 percent of those surveyed approved of how Clinton handled ``the situation in Haiti.'' Another 37 percent disapproved and 8 percent had no opinion.
Last Thursday, after he told a national television audience an invasion would occur unless Haiti's military rulers stepped down, 36 percent approved, 47 percent disapproved and 18 percent had no opinion.
A 19-percent swing in three days is substantial, but such fluctuations in opinion are not unusual after major events.
Americans were less certain whether sending U.S. troops to Haiti during the transition was a good thing. Fifty-three percent approved sending the troops, 43 percent opposed the move and 4 percent didn't know or had no opinion.
ABC's poll was based on telephone interviews with 537 adults after Clinton's announcement Thursday night. The margin of error is plus or minus 5 percentage points.
KEYWORDS: POLL CLINTON HAITI by CNB