The BBC's Jane Hughes speaks to New Yorkers

The embattled president admitted to a "critical lapse of judgement" but also asked for his family life to be considered private.

Some say he should now be left to govern the country. Others are less sympathetic.

Stephen Sackur: "A vast majority of Americans no longer trust Clinton"

Linda Bass, once a fervent Clinton supporter, admitted she was disappointed.

"I wanted him to grovel a little bit more. It turned into a very upbeat 'Let's forge ahead' kind of speech.

Linda Bass: "I'm not comfortable"

"He said the very difficult stuff very quickly, didn't dwell on it and moved ahead. I'm not entirely comfortable with it."

Her husband, Ron Bass, was more concerned about what impact the long-term impact of the speech would be.

Oregon: Clinton gets his message across

"I wasn't really looking for much. I want a statement that would basically end this discussion once and for all, so if it's able to do that, then I think that's great."

In one New York bar a female drinker said: "If he wasn't the president no-one would care. Unfortunately men have affairs all the time."

Opinion polls taken shortly after Mr Clinton's confession indicate his standing with voters is not in freefall.

Voters give their views

A poll of 300 people taken by the CBS channel showed 63% said the matter should now be dropped.