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President William Jefferson Clinton was acquitted Friday by the U.S. Senate of perjury and obstruction of office.
In a CNN poll, two-thirds of Americans said they approved of the outcome.
An informal poll in Jeff Grose's U.S. government class at Warsaw Community High School and one in Dave Howett's history class Monday disagreed.
Of 25 students in Grose's class, only two said they thought the Senate did the right thing in acquitting Clinton of both charges. Only two of 24 in Howett's class agreed with the Senate's decision. Not one student in either class believed the apology Clinton gave after the Senate trial ended.
Many students believed the deliberations held before the final voting should have been open.
"I think if it's a public official that they're trying to throw out of office, shouldn't the public see the deliberations?" said Matt Gard.
"I think we should get to know why they feel he was guilty or not guilty," Brandy Brown said.
"I believe we should have the right to hear what they said," Jakim Wilson said.
Of 49 students in both classes, 29 felt the entire process was partisan.
"I think the Democrats and the Republicans are so against each other that they don't want to work together and side together," Travis Rinker said.
"It was surprising that Republicans switched sides but not that Democrats didn't," Greg Ramos said.
The next presidential election will be held in 2000. Many students in both classes will be voting for president for the first time. In Grose's class, 23 said they will vote and two said they will not. A majority of 16 said they would probably vote for a Republican presidential candidate. Only four said they would vote for a Democrat, and four said they would vote for a third party.
Ramos said, "I think I will take into consideration what happened to this president and I will vote my conscience."
Clint Johnson said, "The next time it could be down Republican lines so you got to go with your gut feelings."
"I'm voting for whoever seems right. I'm not going for a party, that's stupid," said Melissa Himes.
Luke Salyor said, "I think Clinton hurt the Democrat party for the next election."
Now that the Senate has not removed Clinton from office, many of the students felt Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr should not try to criminally prosecute Clinton once he is out of office.
"I think he needs to drop it because, No. 1, I don't think it's our business if he has an affair," Juanita Leal said.
Chris Wilson said, "I think they should drop it. Being a Christian, we'll have to forgive him and go on."
Until the next election, Clinton and the Congress have about two years to work on the issues. Some students don't know how they will do that with everything that went on, while others think there are some issues that need to be dealt with.
"How's he going to get the public to believe anything he says now?" Michelle DeLameter said.
Johnson said, "Before he starts dealing with Kosovo, he needs to come to grips with (what went on)."
Jason Marsillett said, "I just don't see how America is going to get other countries to believe us again."
Jason Barrett said, "As far as issues, I think (Clinton) has got to figure out what he is going to do with Iraq."
Chris Wilson said, "... This just shows that our country is young and weak. It's falling apart."
Several women have been named as possible candidates for the 2000 presidential election. The opinions on a woman becoming president varied, but many agreed America wasn't ready for a woman president.
"I don't think that the country will respect a woman president," Jenny Holland said.
"I think if a woman is elected president, she'll have to work a lot harder since she would be the first," said Shannon Succa.
Wendy Warren said, "Until we get a woman in there, we can't trust the president."
"(Elizabeth Dole) is really smart and a really good candidate, but I don't think we're ready for a woman president," said Vanessa Wrightsman.
DeLameter said, "I think men are all about power. A woman would care more about the country."
"I think people are afraid of change, especially males," said Leal. "They would become intimidated if a woman becomes president because they would see that a woman would be a better president."
One woman who has been named as a presidential candidate is Hillary Clinton. Students felt she knew the entire time Clinton was cheating on her and was the pillar of their family.
Jason Barrett said, "I think if there's going to be a Democrat woman president, it will be (Hillary)."
Leal said, "I think Hillary knew the whole time he was cheating on her."
Emily Niemier said, "I think (Bill) and Hillary were over a long time ago. I think she is the pillar of that family. Poor Chelsea, not only is she not attractive, but she has to go through all of this."
Rinker said, "I think if he were not in office, she would have dumped him a long time ago."
DeLameter said, "If someone believes they are the perfect family, I just think they're stupid."
Rinker also said America will go on now that the Senate trial is over.
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," he said. "I think it will help people to look at morals and values in the next election."
Josh Schmucker said, "In the long run, what comes around goes around. He'll get what's coming to him."
