Behind the Numbers - January 18, 2009

Accountability and the Doubt Factor

President Obama's early orders and directives to encourage openness of executive branch records won plaudits from good-government advocates, but may meet skepticism from many Americans. A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll found majorities doubt the government will be more transparent on one of the public's top priorities: the economy. Most...

By Jennifer Agiesta | January 22, 2009; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Post Polls
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On Torture

A majority of Americans in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll oppose the use of torture in terrorism investigations, backing Barack Obama's pledge that "under my administration, the United States does not torture." But there's an even split on whether he should investigate whether laws were broken in the way...

By Jon Cohen | January 21, 2009; 12:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (25)
Categories: Post Polls
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WaPo-ABC poll on Gitmo

In ordering a suspension of legal action against suspected terrorists being held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Barack Obama starts out on a popular path, albeit one without particularly widespread or bipartisan support. In a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 53 percent of Americans said the...

By Jon Cohen | January 21, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Post Polls
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Getting to Know Michelle Obama

The public has warmed considerably to the soon-to-be first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, since her husband clinched the Democratic nomination for president last June. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds Mrs. Obama viewed positively by 72 percent of Americans, up from 48 percent when she was...

By Jennifer Agiesta | January 20, 2009; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Crosstabs , Post Polls
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The President-Elect and the Pastor

Barack Obama's pick of evangelical pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at tomorrow's inauguration was initially met by a torrent of criticism, but it's unlikely to spark broad controversy - most Americans support the idea. In a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 61 percent said they back the President-elect's...

By Jon Cohen | January 19, 2009; 1:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
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Bush Approval: A Last Look

As George W. Bush's final days as president dawn, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds him leaving behind one of the lowest final approval ratings in history and a wounded Republican Party. Bush's final approval mark stands at 33 percent in the new poll, above his career low of...

By Jennifer Agiesta | January 18, 2009; 4:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Post Polls , Presidential Approval
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