Thursday, December 17, 1998 Published at 14:43 GMT
Scepticism and support swirl around Clinton
A majority of Americans say the president had no ulterior motives
In the wake of the US-led attack on Iraq, Republican leaders and impeachment supporters are voicing scepticism over the timing of the attack.
The incoming Speaker of the House, Bob Livingston, visibly agitated, was more guarded. He said he would not "second guess" the administration, "but as to the matter of timing, we leave that to the best judgement of the American people".
"Never underestimate a desperate president," said a furious House Rules Committee Chairman Gerald B.H. Solomon (R-N.Y.). "What option is left for getting impeachment off the front page and maybe even postponed? And how else to explain the sudden appearance of a backbone that has been invisible up to now?"
As if anticipating criticism, Mr Clinton carefully laid out the reasons, timing and goals of the air strikes and stressed the strikes were unanimously supported by his national security team.
"But once more, the United States has proven that although we are never eager to use force, when we must act in America's vital interests, we will do so."
Public sees no dog
But an overwhelming number of Americans support President Bill Clinton's decision to strike and reject the view he did so to delay an impeachment vote in Congress.
At Lulu's bar in Washington DC, one woman told BBC News: "This should have been taken care of a long time ago. I think he's doing the best he can."
Other polls conducted by leading US media organisations showed similar results.
The "strong and sustained" attack began on the eve of an historic vote in the US House of Representatives on whether to impeach Mr Clinton over charges he lied under oath to hide a sexual relationship he had with Monica Lewinsky.
An ABC News poll highlighted stark divisions of opinion on the attack between those who support and oppose impeachment of Mr Clinton.
Among supporters of impeachment, 62% believed Clinton ordered the attack to delay a scheduled vote in the US House of Representatives.
But among the majority that oppose impeachment, 81% thought Clinton's reasons for ordering the attack were sound, the ABC poll indicated.
De Niro, who plays a presidential spin doctor in the film, has been telephoning Republican congressmen, trying to persuade them to vote against impeachment.
"This was something that he did on his own. He was not asked to do it," said De Niro's spokesman Stan Rosenfield.