Poll: Condit media blitz falls short

By Keating Holland
CNN Polling Director

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll indicates that Rep. Gary Condit's media blitz hasn't had the sort of effect on the public that the congressman and his handlers might have intended.

Nationally, Condit's public relations campaign hurt him even more than it did in his home district in California (see CNN polling numbers from Condit's home district below).

Results of interviews of 814 adult Americans conducted between August 24 and August 26 indicate two-thirds of those who watched Condit's interview last Thursday night say his performance made them more suspicious of him, and 71 percent say they think he lied during the interview.

Three-quarters of all adults describe him as immoral; two-thirds say he is uncaring and 79 percent feel he is dishonest. More than six-in-ten believe it is likely that Condit was directly involved in Chandra Levy's disappearance; three quarters say it is likely he tried to obstruct the investigation.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
August 24-26

QUESTION: How likely do you think it is that Gary Condit was directly involved in the disappearance of Chandra Levy -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?

QUESTION: How likely do you think it is that at any point Gary Condit tried to obstruct the investigation into the disappearance of Chandra Levy -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?

QUESTION: Just your opinion, which of the following better applies to the way you feel about Gary Condit -- (A) Moral or immoral (B) Honest or dishonest (C) Caring or uncaring.

QUESTION: How concerned do you think Gary Condit is about Chandra Levy and her family -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all?

QUESTION: Do you have a more favorable or less favorable view of Condit as a result of (his televised interviews), or did it not affect your opinion either way?

QUESTION: Did the interview(s) make you more suspicious or less suspicious or Condit's actions concerning the investigation into Chandra Levy's disappearance?

QUESTION: At several points in the interview(s), Condit did not directly answer questions about the nature of his relationship with Chandra Levy. Do you think he was justified or unjustified in doing so?

QUESTION: Do you think Condit did or did not lie during any point in the interview(s)?

Here is a comparison of the results of the CNN/USA Today/Gallup national poll versus the results of a poll conducted by CNN in Condit's home district. Some of the following questions were asked only in Condit's California district, while others were only asked in the national poll.

QUESTION: How likely do you think it is that Gary Condit was directly involved in the disappearance of Chandra Levy -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?

QUESTION: How likely do you think it is that at any point Gary Condit tried to obstruct the investigation into the disappearance of Chandra Levy -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?

QUESTION: How concerned do you think Gary Condit is about Chandra Levy and her family -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all?

QUESTION: Do you have a more favorable or less favorable view of Condit as a result of (his televised interviews), or did (they) not affect your opinion either way?

QUESTION: Did the interview(s) make you more suspicious or less suspicious or Condit's actions concerning the investigation into Chandra Levy's disappearance?

QUESTION: At several points in the interview, Condit did not directly answer questions about the nature of his relationship with Chandra Levy. Do you think he was justified or unjustified in doing so?

QUESTION: Do you think Condit did or did not lie during any point in the interview?