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Poll indicates mixed views on surveillance Americans show mixed support for domestic wiretaps to fight terrorism, a New York Times/CBS poll says. Fifty-three percent of respondents said they supported eavesdropping without warrants "in order to reduce the threat of terrorism." But, while those asked indicated some latitude on eavesdropping, there also was concern shown that aggressive anti-terrorism programs encroach on civil liberties. Respondents overwhelmingly supported e-mail and telephone monitoring directed at "Americans that the government is suspicious of." But, they overwhelmingly opposed the same kind of surveillance if aimed at "ordinary Americans." The poll also indicates that Republicans are viewed unfavorably by 51 percent of the nation, their worst rating since President George Bush took office. By contrast, 53 percent said they held a favorable view of Democrats. The poll says 61 percent of respondents hold an unfavorable view of Congress, the highest in 10 years. The poll by telephone was conducted with 1,229 adults, starting last Friday and ending Wednesday. Its margin of sampling error was 3 percentage points. |
