Poll: Concern About Privacy Rights, But Terror Threat Triumphs

[ECH1969]

Three in 10 Americans believe the federal government has made unjustified intrusions into personal privacy as it investigates terrorism, which is nearly double the level of concern shown a few years ago, albeit still far from a majority.

That said, security concerns still trump: Sixty-five percent say it's more important for the government to investigate terrorism than for it to protect privacy.

More broadly, the public still grants investigating terrorism a higher priority than guarding privacy rights, but by somewhat less of a margin than in the past. And Americans divide about evenly on the specific issue of warrantless wiretaps by the National Security Agency: Fifty-one percent call them acceptable in investigating terrorism, 47 percent unacceptable — views marked by huge partisan and ideological gaps.

Separately, this ABC News/Washington Post poll finds George W. Bush's overall job rating unchanged after a gain following the Iraqi elections last month. Forty-six percent of Americans approve of his work in office, while 52 percent disapprove. That's almost identical to its mid-December level, but better than his low (39 percent approval) this fall.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=1490715

[AX10]

1. Ipsos/Reid has his approval at a more realistic 40%.

[ECH1969]

3. The CBS News poll was 49% for wire taps according to polling report

This poll has just about the same numbers as Rassmassman at least for * approval, just a differenet formula for number of dems, Repugs, and indipendents.

[AX10]

4. That was regarding wiretapping. His general approval is 40%

http://www.pollingreport.com/

[ECH1969]

5. Dude that is what I said in my post

[AX10]

6. after you edited it.

[ECH1969]

7. I was talking about wire taps from the very beginning

That was what I thought you were talking about in your post. When I re-read your post I noticed you were talking about Bush's approval ratings so I made it more clear I had been talking about wire taps not Bush's approval

[Flabbergasted]

2. Huh?

No way this poll as accurate.

[dusty64]

8. Thats cause most people

believe they were only going after real "terrorists. What our side continues to fail at is explaining to the voters that this is NOT whats going on. This regime is spying on everyone THEY believe to be "terrorists" and that includes, Democrats, unions, environmental groups, peace organizations, and ANYONE else who does not support the extremist agenda. Democrats, moderates, and so called Liberatarians ought to be screaming bloody murder about this shit and NOT letting go, but no. Off to the next item on the regimes's agenda, like the confirmation of his handpicked crony to the extreme court. I really am this close to giving up on this crap and completely not caring anymore.

[AndyTiedye]

14. Alito And SnoopGate Are Connected!

Where do you think the case, if there ever is a case, is going to end up?
In the Supreme Court, of course.

Alito has been a consistant defender of unlimited Presidential power. Think about it.

[Harper_is_Bush]

9. People don't understand the basic issue here...

they don't realize that they can wire tap terrorists just fine with no delay under the FISA law.

It was the same problem with the last IPSOS poll.

People are confused on the issue, and in my mind demanding clarification from media and pollsters is incredibly important.

[Harper_is_Bush]

10. The choice is NOT fight terrorism or protect privacy. IPSOS did the same:

Here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2354901&mesg_id=2354901

Don't let them get away with this. Email them. Ask why the poll questions aren't being asked properly....why they aren't acurately telling Americans that FISA can be used to wire tap and fight terror with NO delays or sacrafice in the fight.

[OKthatsIT]

11. this Poll is bogus

[HuffleClaw]

12. ok, i just read the pdf and

i'm none too impressed with how they worded those questions.

"6. What do you think is more important right now - (for the federal government to investigate possible terrorist threats, even if that intrudes on personal privacy); or (for the federal government not to intrude on personal privacy, even if that limits its ability to investigate possible terrorist threats)?"

that seems a wee bit slanted to me.



"11. Would you consider this wiretapping of telephone calls and e-mails without court approval as an acceptable or unacceptable way for the federal government to investigate terrorism?"

again, they 'qualify' this question by adding the bit about terrorism. another slanted question.

a poor poll imho.

[Jacobin]

13. Those who would trade some temporary safety for their

freedom, deserve neither safety nor their freedom...to paraphrase Ben Franklin.

Man he would flip out if he saw us today

[superconnected]

15. He'd cry.

And I don't really trust polls anymore.

[leesa]

16. Americans are such cowards! They would give up their freedom

because they are such frightened kittens.

[LynnTheDem]

17. They who give up freedom for security

deserve neither.

[MissMillie]

18. Really? I wonder how the question was worded...

I haven't been to the site yet, but I wonder... was the word "police state" mentioned?

[tledford]

19. Democrats at all levels need to be pointing out that...

the radical right wing of the Republican party is a much greater threat to America than any terrorists, and has done more damage than terrorists. And the only way that the MSM will pick it up is if it is stated loudly and daily, for as long as it takes.

(edited to correct bad grammar, oops)