If Pensions & Investments' readers have their way, Bill Clinton soon will become ex-President Clinton.
According to the results of a P&I fax poll, pension fund executives and money managers think President Clinton should resign over the "Zippergate" scandal.
They are divided, however, on whether he should be impeached.
Regardless, most think neither will happen.
Instead, they believe he'll weather the crisis that erupted over allegations he obstructed justice. According to the allegations, the president sought to cover up an affair he purportedly had with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
And, few think the investigation will have any effect on the capital markets.
More than 120 readers responded to the poll, one of several informal surveys P&I conducts each year. But readers were uncharacteristically caustic in their responses to this one:
"Clinton has no impact on markets or economy, only condom sales!"
"Explain why there should be any connection between the rise and fall of the stock market and the rise and fall of Bill Clinton's pants."
"If Clinton had an affair with a 21-year-old, he is guilty of gross bad morals and bad timing. On the other hand, who gives a . . ."
"God bless the president!"
The informal survey was conducted late last week. Of the results:
57% of respondents think President Clinton should resign, while 43% think he shouldn't.
50% believe he should be impeached; an equal percentage said he should not be.
Only 19% think the allegations will cause him to resign.
58% of respondents believe the allegations, being investigated by special Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr, will lead to an attempt to impeach President Clinton.
14% believe he will be impeached, while 86% believe he won't be impeached.
On the impact on the market:
About 65% believe the scandal will have no short-term impact on the stock market.
82% expect no long-term effect on the market.
Of those who believe the allegations will hurt the market, on average they predict the Dow Jones industrial average would decline 324 points in the short term, and 693 points in the long term.
Only one respondent thinks the allegations will have a positive short-term impact on the market, leading to a 200-point rise.
Three respondents believe the troubles would have a long-term positive impact on the market, rising 500 points on average.
Respondents supplied more write-in comments than they normally do. Among them:
"What the president does in his personal life has no impact on the fundamentals of American business."
"How many other immoral and illegal things has he done? He can't be trusted."
"A fish rots from the head first. This old Italian saying covers the White House."
"Don't throw the rope over the tree limb yet."
"The office of the presidency demands more accountability than this president has given."
"Regardless of his sexual dalliance, the more serious matter is perjury. What else has he lied to the American people about?"
"I do not condone the act and believe it was dumb, but not to the point where he should be impeached."
"The market has discounted Clinton already with all his other indiscretions and revelations."
"Impeach Kenneth Starr. When did the social, sexual activities of the president become as important as the presidency?"
"Come on folks. This subject on Clinton is too trashy for P&I."
