To Investigate, or not Investigate
Public interest in a look-back at the Bush administration's treatment of terrorism suspects has waned, but there is now majority support for investigations into the possibility the CIA withheld required information from Congress, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Most Americans, 54 percent, say the new administration should not investigate potential illegality in the way those implicated in terrorism cases were handled; 44 percent say it should. That's a change from a near even divide on the question in polls taken in January and April.
Over the past few months, Republicans have solidified in opposition to such a probe: 84 percent are against one, up from 69 percent at the beginning of the year. Independents, too, are broadly opposed to the idea (57 percent against, 42 percent for), while Democrats are as unified behind the idea (67 percent in favor) as they have been all year.
The public tips the other way, however, on the newer controversy over whether the Central Intelligence Agency failed to brief Congress on programs it is mandated to disclose. In the new poll, 54 percent say the Obama administration should investigate whether the CIA withheld such information; 43 percent say it should not.
Most Democrats (71 percent) and a slim majority of independents (52 percent) are behind an investigation into this potential slipup by the CIA, whereas most Republicans (65 percent) are against it.
Q. Do you think the Obama administration should or should not investigate...
...whether any laws were broken in the way terrorism suspects were treated under the Bush administration?
...whether the CIA withheld required information from Congress during the Bush administration?
By Jon Cohen |
July 29, 2009; 12:00 PM ET
Post Polls
Previous: Blue Dogs on Health Care: Why So Blue? |
Next: A Gates Effect?
Posted by: hclark1 | July 29, 2009 5:42 PM
The UK with under 200 deaths is investigating, the US with over 4,000 still deciding, *why?
Posted by: jama452 | July 30, 2009 10:21 AM
What a sad commentary on this country.
Posted by: brazito | July 30, 2009 11:35 AM
Post a Comment
We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Has Sen. Chrissy Dodd (D - CT) refinanced his Countrywide loan ?