On another question, almost half said Mr. Starr was conducting a partisan investigation that was intended to damage the President.

"The American people are tired of these partisan investigations of the past," Mr. Bartlett said.

"It's a ridiculous stunt to try and cover up the fact that Ronnie Earle's partisan investigation has turned into an embarrassment for him."

It provides another chapter in what is becoming a lengthy and increasingly partisan investigation by seven House and five Senate committees.

He described them as "more personal ads, more personal attacks, more partisan investigations, more of the politics of personal destruction."

Perhaps taking a cue from White House attacks, 59 percent agreed with the proposition that Mr. Starr was "mostly conducting a partisan investigation to damage Bill Clinton."

Gerry also engaged in partisan investigations of potential libel against him by elements of the Federalist press, further damaging his popularity with moderates.

Many people feel that Mr. Starr is conducting a partisan investigation using questionable means, the polls showed.

Democrats feel that their party is under assault by a partisan investigation, which is why fund-raising is going up.

"You know, I feel sorry for everyone who was caught up in this relentless partisan investigation," Senator Clinton replied.