CLINTON'S ALLEGED TRYST TALK OF TOWN; VALLEY DENIZENS SHARE CONTRASTING OPINIONS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby and Brooke Olson Daily News Staff Writers

Shirley Joseph likes President Clinton and considers him a ``caring, loving man,'' but said, ``I wouldn't like it if he fooled around.''

In offices, hair salons, sandwich shops and college campuses around Los Angeles, it seemed everybody was talking about the same thing Thursday - the latest sex scandal rocking the White House. As details and denials filtered out of Washington, D.C., about allegations that Clinton had an affair with a White House intern, his fans and foes engaged in the debate and conjecture.

``I think he's a sick, sick man who uses his power to terrorize women,'' said Pierce College student Marie Blanche, 21, of West Hills. ``He's got deceiving eyes and a mischievous smile and now we all know the real truth behind that painted-on face.''

Another Pierce College student, Mike Harris, was more forgiving.

``No one is perfect and I think that if the country is going OK, then we shouldn't worry about who or what the president is doing during his private time,'' said Harris, 23, of Woodland Hills.

At the Topanga Bowl, two longtime friends and bowling buddies disagreed Thursday on an issue for the first time in 13 years.

``Clinton's a good red-blooded male,'' said Ed James, 48, of Tarzana. ``And any good red-blooded male will notice if there's a pretty (woman) in his office.

``He's no different than all the other men and I think he's great.''

Chiding his friend's lack of morals, Bob Smygreen thought for a moment before offering a reply.

``If Clinton is in fact guilty, there is no excuse for his actions,'' said Smygreen, 49, of Tarzana. ``If anything, it only discounts his manhood. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's a bad president.''

Clinton supporters doubted the legitimacy of the allegations Thursday.

``I can't believe the president has to dignify these allegations with a response,'' said Susan Lewis, 45, of Studio City. ``There are so many other pressing issues going on.

``I hope that the women who are making these allegations will have their 15 minutes of fame and then we can all get back to the important issues.''

``It's hurting our country. We're becoming a laughingstock,'' said Joseph, a retired schoolteacher who joined the discussion at a Woodland Hills hair salon. ``Sex between consenting adults should be private.''

But strong support for the world's most powerful leader was in the minority according to an unscientific call-in telephone survey conducted by the Daily News. Sixty-one percent of the respondents said they did not believe the president, while only 39 percent were convinced Clinton was telling the truth.

The allegations also were discussed at college campuses.

``We talked about it in every class today,'' said Mona Rose, 17, a student at Santa Monica City College, where former White House intern Monica Lewinsky took classes.

``I think it's sick. Let him lead his own life. Just because he had an affair doesn't make him a bad president. Maybe the people accusing him should look at their own lives,'' Rose said.

Lydia Otero, who teaches history at Santa Monica City College, said she discussed the allegations in two classes and was surprised that few students seemed concerned about it.

She said one student felt the controversy was a waste of the president's time. ``Another said they were bothered that he encouraged someone to lie. Some said they felt sorry for first lady Hillary. But most didn't care,'' Otero said.

Lina Fors, a 22-year-old Swedish exchange student at the college, said that if there is truth to the scandal, the president has failed his constituents.

``A person like that should be more responsible, be a good role model,'' Fors said. ``In Sweden there would be a big scandal, but he would probably get a second chance.''

With a booming economy and safer streets, Americans are enjoying a sense of peace and have given Clinton their approval for his work, if not his personal life.

In a poll conducted in October, a remarkable 47 percent of Americans said they were ``highly satisfied'' with their lives - a jump of 10 percentage points from the year before. Americans' satisfaction was higher than at any other time in the previous 30 years, according to the Pew Research Center For The People & The Press.

Like many people, Josephine Cavalluzzi at Michelangelo Hair Creations in Woodland Hills pointed to the alleged affairs of presidential predecessors and wondered whether Clinton wasn't being held unfairly to a new standard.

``Look at what Kennedy did, and he did some real great things for our country,'' Cavalluzzi said. ``World leaders seem to take advantage of their power.''

Manicurist Sheila Ellis, dabbing red polish on a client's fingernails, said, ``There's other important issues. Leave the president alone.''

Others said they believed Clinton was the target of rumors designed to damage his credibility.

``It's a total setup,'' said stylist Connie Johnson as she cut a client's hair. ``It's a scam against him.''

Eric Leach Daily News Staff Writer contributed to this report.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Michelangelo stylist Connie Johnson, left, supports the president, while her client, Shirley Joseph, has her doubts.

(2) Manicurist Sheila Ellis, left, and Michelangelo Hair Creations customer Brenda Myers found the whole sex scandal rather amusing.

Phil McCarten/Daily News