Poll: Majorities Favor Some Form Of Investigations Against Bush Administration
So is it really just a fringe, loony-left view that the former Bush Administration should be investigated? Not at all, according to a new Gallup poll -- but there isn't a clear verdict on what exactly should be done.
A significant plurality favor outright criminal probes, though they are not a majority. Another portion prefer an independent investigation by a special panel:
Possible attempts to use Justice Dept. for political purposes:
Criminal investigation, 41%; Investigation by independent panel, 30%; Neither, 25%
Possible use of telephone wiretaps without a warrant:
Criminal investigation, 38%; Investigation by independent panel, 25%; Neither, 34%
Possible use of torture in terror interrogations:
Criminal investigation, 38%; Investigation by independent panel, 24%; Neither, 34%
As you would expect, majorities of Democrats favor criminal probes, Republicans largely oppose doing anything, and independents correspond pretty closely with the top-line numbers.
Gallup leads in their analysis with the criminal-probe response being a minority, but this seems to miss the larger point: A majority clearly favor doing something to investigate the Bush Administration -- though exactly what the something should be is a whole other argument. But if there is any kind of option that can be characterized as way out there, it's the position that we should do nothing.
(Via Greg Sargent)
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
I'm not holding my breath. There are at least the images of a shoe thrown at a presser on youtube, thankfully.
February 12, 2009 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am totally not impressed with these numbers. If they were 60% or more for criminal investigations, then yes. It looks like an independent panel is what is going to happen.
February 12, 2009 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Most people are far less informed. A few more facts in daylight would change the equation dramatically.
I'm sure facts, if ever they see daylight, will convince most Americans they need justice.
But its a big IF.
February 12, 2009 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
As always, there is that one third of the populace that would not want Bush investigated even if it turned out that he was a child molester ("But his heart's in the right place...").
February 12, 2009 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm cautiously optimistic with these numbers, because in all cases the "neither" vote numbers are likely the Bush Administration dead-enders and rabid partisans.
If anything these polls will further embolden folks to keep pushing for justice/investigations.
February 12, 2009 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Politicians haven't listened to their constituents in the past and sure they aren't going to start now.
Republicans pols don't want investigations because, clearly, they engaged in illegal activities. Democrat pols don't want investigations because many of them knew about the illegal activities and did nothing to stop them.
It's a lose-lose situation.
February 12, 2009 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually I think an independent panel would be better. We saw what happened in the Plame investigation -- not enough provable criminality to indict anyone but Libby, and secrecy about everyone else. I'd rather learn about everything that has happened, who was involved in what ways, and if there is legal culpability shown, then let the prosecutors take over.
February 12, 2009 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I tend to agree with you on this. I really want to know what happened the last 8 years more than anything else. I think that it is important for all of us to know so that it won't happen again. That probably is more important than anything else.
A criminal investigation would be just more double secret nonsense, which I am tired of.
February 12, 2009 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm all for an Investigation by independent panel to dig up the facts which would then be reviewed by the new and improved DoJ to determine if laws were broken and if so start criminal investigation based on the known facts. That way the repugs can howl all they want cause they won't have any legs to stand on.
February 12, 2009 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not a panel, but I thought the DOJ issue was still being worked on...
...“The Justice Department has an obligation to the American people to pursue this case wherever the facts and the law require. This investigation would ordinarily be conducted under the supervision of either the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia or a Department component. However, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has been recused from the matter, and I have determined that, given the nature of the matter, it would be best overseen by an attorney outside Main Justice.
“Therefore, I have asked Nora Dannehy to exercise the authority of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia for purposes of this matter. In that capacity, Ms. Dannehy will report to me through the Deputy Attorney General. Ms. Dannehy is a well-respected and experienced career prosecutor who has conducted or supervised a wide range of investigations and prosecutions during her lengthy career, and I am grateful to her for her willingness to serve in this capacity
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/September/08-opa-859.html
February 12, 2009 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who doesn't support probes of the bush?
February 12, 2009 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
What a lovely Valentine's Day thought! :)
February 12, 2009 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Republican and conservative voters who think Bush is God, walks on water and think his ends justify the means to keep us safe from the evil, baby killing, tree hugging commie pinko liberals who want to destroy this country.
That's who dosen't support probes of Bush
February 12, 2009 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
i think republicans prefer to put their probes elsewhere.
February 12, 2009 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
moja,
HAHAHAHAHAHA, good one :-)
February 12, 2009 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will we ever find out what's in The Dick's man-sized safe?
February 12, 2009 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
We can guess. Whatever went in there recently was enough to hurt his back and confine him to that wheelchair during the Inaugural!
(personally I believe he hurt his back from months of bending over several shredders...
February 12, 2009 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
If we as a nation are to change, and Obama's administration is to lead this change (the major reason he and the current crop of democrats were elected to this position in the first place), the rule of law needs to be obeyed. If it is not, we no longer have a coherent nation where there is equality and some semblance of a fair, impartial justice system.
Polls are nice, but the fact remains... if an investigation occurs and this investigation brings up evidence of wrongdoing...NO MATTER WHO DID IT... there needs to be charges filed.
The lack of this action is what separates a true democracy from a dictatorship, oligarchy,, kingdom, etc.
When laws are only meant to be obeyed by the commoners and not those in charge, there is really no need to even have elections anymore, and those in charge are one step from just letting us peons know that they need not vote next time.
It is also a way of telling us in 10 or 20 years that they have past precedence for killing folks (innocent OR guilty) so there is nothing we can do about it.
Finally, do we as adults REALLY want our children to grow up believing they have no power to keep leaders from breaking more and more laws without any accountability and punishment? And then do we actually think they will feel a need to vote? This is what we will be leaving the next generation... IMHO
February 12, 2009 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Kudos on this great comment!
In my view we see the beginnings of a groundswell of public support for what needs to happen. Once more and more things come out, as they surely will, the public support will build.
We in the trenches need to do the hard work of digging as best we can and making sure the dirt gets throw up where people can see it and feel aghast - as surely they must - once they understand what has occurred here!
Just this morning I was talking with my lifelong republican parents and they completely convinced that torture happened and it must be investigated. If the repubs are losing the battle with folks like this (who will turn 92 and 87 this year), they will lose the battle with others.
Don't get discouraged. Keep standing up. Yell bloody murder. Molly Ivins would do no less!
February 12, 2009 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who among us hasn't at least stalked a child?
or water-boarded a rival?
There are some doors men were never meant to open...
February 12, 2009 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
The worst thing about this item today is having to see that stupid Bushface on the front page. Would that I never have to see him again.
February 12, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
other than behind bars.... I bet you'd be ok with that!
February 12, 2009 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Ras did the same poll, those numbers would be flipped but what has been clear since about a month prior to the election is that about two thirds of Americans either are sane or have recently become sane with regard to the Bushies. Just under or right at one third, (the same third or so who still supported Bush in the end), are just incorrigeable and should have their voting priveleges stripped as they have demonstrated that they are incapable of exercising them responsibly. Me? I'm a proud "10 percenter". I was among the ten percent of Americans who thoroughly dissapproved of the job the chimp was doing on September 12, 2001 when more than ninety percent supported the man. Also, don't confuse that with my "hoping he would fail" because I was hoping he would succeed for the good of the nation. I knew he was going to fail though because he is an incurious, morally bankrupt buffoon who surrounded himself with criminals, bigots and nationalists.
February 12, 2009 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been a 10%-er since he flew around the country, scared out of his pea-brained mind ON Sept. 11. Yep, I knew he would fail, because the nincompoop is incapable of doing anything other than the goon-brigade tells him. It's so obvious that his bravado walk, chimp arms swinging, is all false bravado. Pretty much what you just said. I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone can look at him and not see right through his act, a little man acting "all growed up".
February 12, 2009 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
As much as I despise the man, I have to come to the defense of the protocol of the office. In an attack such as that of 9/11, standard operating procedure requires that the POTUS board Air Force One and remain airborne (I believe with fighter escorts) until a secured ground location is established.
February 12, 2009 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's no doubt that the DoJ must do something just to abide by our UN treaties (which the US wrote) since Cheney admitted on video on national TV that he approved torture.
It is clear. A crime of torture was committed, Bush and Cheney approved and ordered it. We are required by law...our law...to prosecute. Everything else is just avoiding doing what the law requires.
Numerous other crimes are attributed to these guys but there is already a body of evidence to convict them for war crimes...without question. So stop with all the distraction tactics and prosecute.
Leahy's crap about "we want to make sure it won't happen again"...to which I say Iran contra...watergate goobers said the same thing.
Should have impeached but MUST prosecute.
February 12, 2009 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Required by law. Thus we are legally, and morally, obligated here!
February 12, 2009 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
You really need to take an international poll to accuratelly reflect the desire for probing international war crimes.
February 12, 2009 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Start with this:
Only the first one, attempt to use Justice Dep't for political purposes lacks a credible anti-terrorism rationale. Most people still think "they kept us safe" and don't understand that they caused 9/11 by ignoring countless warnings.
When Congress went after Ollie North in the 80s for Iran-Contra, he turned the argument around, emerged as an all-American superhero and very nearly was elected as U.S. Senator. A reminder why you need to pick your battles.
Political abuses under Bush-Cheney were particularly nauseating and inexcusable, but if pursuing them, it needs to be in a non-grandiose fashion that gives Obama cover against "Why is he chasing unemployed Alberto Gonzales instead of fixing the economy, when my family is out of work, too?!"
February 12, 2009 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can we bring them before Waxman like we did for Roger Clemens? Let them squirm on national TV for a while.
February 12, 2009 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cheney: When I said I authorized water-boarding everyone at Guantanamo, we increased rendition activities and secret prisons in Europe and the Middle East, and that we ignored the NSA warning 6 weeks before the attacks on the World Trade Center allowing Al Qaeda to bomb us, I mis-remembered.
February 12, 2009 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Bush Era continues to leave me resentful... even amid the hope and promise of the Obama election. I feel as though the Constitution has been irreparably diminished by the experience. How else to we exorcize that ghost unless we hold our collective noses and have some kind of airing? I am encouraging anyone who will listen to email Chairman Leahy and others on his committee to give such an investigation serious consideration... or we (the electorate) will remain spooked for decades to come.
February 12, 2009 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right on Liz! Can't let those crooks run free.
February 12, 2009 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
AMERICA’S SABOTEURS
Republicans are practicing SUBVERSIVE forms of demagoguery and guerrilla obstructionism that are intended to destabilize our economy for purposes of political exploitation.
Republicans AREN’T making a sincere effort to stop the bleeding their incompetent leadership and failed policies created. Instead, they’re using conflicting economic theories as a smokescreen to conceal their real agenda, which is to undermine President Obama and cause him and America to fail.
Republicans are laughably professing that their disgraceful political whoring had nothing to do with the banking, real estate, stock market and employment catastrophes that resulted.
Republicans are trying to hamstring Obama to prevent him from undoing the incompetent negligence of George W. Bush.
Republicans are offering up subjective controversial arguments they know no one can agree on in order to disrupt and deny progressive change. They’d rather create political gridlock than endure the political consequences of effective Democratic governance. That’s how they gained power and that’s how they’re trying to retain it.
Republicans are not the LOYAL OPPOSITION. They are the ENEMY WITHIN whose political priorities have eroded their moral and ethical standards to the point that treachery and betrayal are their preferred methods of operation.
It’s one thing to vigorously advocate their conservative beliefs; it’s another thing entirely for them to willfully sabotage America’s government because a successful Democratic president would not be vulnerable to the fears and hatreds that have produced and sustained the radical Republican corporatism and extremism that have poisoned and divided America.
February 12, 2009 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink