Bush touts poll that supports domestic spying

[sabra]

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0104wiretap-poll04.html

Bush touts poll that supports domestic spying


WASHINGTON - The White House on Tuesday touted a nationwide survey indicating broad support for the secret surveillance on U.S.-based terror suspects, including Americans, that was ordered by President Bush following the Sept. 11 attacks.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the survey, by Rasmussen Reports, confirmed the administration's repeated contention that "the American people strongly support the efforts that we're undertaking to save their lives."

McClellan spotlighted the survey, released Dec. 28, which said 64 percent of 1,000 adults questioned nationwide believed eavesdropping by the National Security Agency should be "allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States."

WH Press Gaggle:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060103-1.html

<snip>

MR. McCLELLAN: I think that, clearly, the American people strongly support the efforts that we're undertaking to save their lives.

Q But you don't know that, and I'm not asserting whether that's the case or not.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think there actually was a poll last week that showed more than the 60 percent of the American people support --

Q Oh, now you embrace polls. Okay, I'll tell -- I'll note that for the record. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: -- more than 60 percent of the American people support --

Q You may be right, but --

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me just finish, and then I'll come to you -- support the actions that the President is taking to prevent attacks from happening in the first place. That's what this President is committed to doing. This is about saving lives. We face a dangerous and determined enemy, an enemy that wants to inflict even greater damage than they did on September 11th here at home. And we've got to use every lawful tool at our disposal to help save lives. Now, the President --

edit: the reporter is David Gregory of MSNBC

[texpatriot2004]

1. Scotty want a cracker? nm

[Atman]

2. If a nationwide poll said Americans favor bank robbery...

...it still wouldn't make bank robbery legal, Mr. President.

[thefool_wa]

17. Awesome

and the best comment I've read on this subject so far. Kudos to you Atman.

[personman]

22. screw legal...

it wouldn't make it right.

"Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth." - Ghandi

[Inland]

24. to be completely analogous,

as the poll in question doesn't refer to warrantless spying, the poll would be:

"Do you approve of being able to withdraw money from a bank?"

and Bush using the response as approval of embezzlement.

[Terran]

35. BINGO

Well said. One wonders what percentage of the public would understand without an explanation like yours.

[IA_Seth]

3. "This administration doesn't govern by polls"

What a jackass.

[krkaufman]

40. Exactly. I figured someone had already highlighted this hypocrisy.

Nothing like hiding behind a poll number when you've broken the law.

[leveymg]

4. That poll question didn't ask about UNWARRANTED domestic spying

It is entirely misleading to take this to mean that there is widespread support for Dubya's crime of evading FISA warrant requirements.

As I pointed out when news of this poll was posted here in late December, it's nothing but a push-poll that will be misrepresented.

"Pay no mind to that man behind the curtain. For, I am the great and mighty Oz."

[redqueen]

10. Exactly.

How idiotic are the people that buy this crap?

How can they NOT notice that the most important part of this issue -- the ILLEGALITY of doing this WITHOUT court approval -- isn't mentioned at all in the poll?

I love how he manages to get "september 11th" in there somewhere. Jackass.

[leveymg]

16. Did anyone in the WH press corps call him on this?

I didn't read the TS. If not, kinda makes you wonder how well informed major media reporters actually are, or where their loyalties lie.

[thefool_wa]

19. I would bet...

They are given a list of comments/questions that are not to be shared or expressed in the press room, otherwise these things would deteriorate into bar-room brawls so fast that we would wonder who brought the tequila.

It is not unheard of, they are all given talking points and, while the list may not be given to the reporters as they go in the room, we can all rest assured it was given to an editor who made it clear where the antagonistic line is. I want to believe that this isn't true, but I think that the Plame issue has made it quite clear who is in bed with whom in Washington anymore.

Its a good thing I don't have a white house press pass, I would be on my feet yelling at this looser so fast they would lock me up as an enemy combatant.

I say again, what a d**chebag.

[Spinzonner]

29. I favor The Mighty Favog myself

[patdem]

5. Nowhere does the poll ask...unconstitutioinal or warrentless spying

OF FUCKING COURSE WE WANT SURVEYLIENCE ON TERRORISTS..DO WE LOOK LIKE FOOLS? BUT do we want the government to have free, unfettered access to spy on Americans at whim?

THE POLL IS NOT ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION...

Excuse me for my screaming..I just seem to be up in arms today...

[Zynx]

6. Of course that poll yielded that response. Here's the question:

"Should the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States?"

http://rasmussenreports.com/2005/NSA.htm

That's what Rasmussen asked in the poll. Of course we were going to get the result we did under that question. If the poll question told the people what this was really about, I bet we would have gotten a different answer.

[rodeodance]

28. this sucks!!

[bluestateguy]

7. Majoritarianism is not a legitimate argument

The fact that a majority supports something is not a legitimate argument in favor of a position.

[thefool_wa]

20. Especially

in an administration that is (to quote Mr McClellan repeatedly) "not governed by polls".

And, I say again, 1000 people does not represent the voice of the American people, I don't care how "randomly" they were selected.

I got your poll Scotty boy, where do you want it :spank:

[DBoon]

8. there is something more important than a poll Mr President

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

[HuffleClaw]

9. the poll that DIDN'T address the issue of DOMESTIC SPYING

and bush (as the reporter noticed) has gone on record saying that he don't pay attention to polls! these poor sadsack clowns just can't keep their messages straight anymore. it sure must suck to work in the white house these days.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. Actually, I would support the wiretaps if he had followed the

legal procedures. Since he did not, it leads me to believe that his reasons were not valid and that a warrant would not have been issued. If it was truly a matter of national security, he could have obtained the warrants needed to make the wiretaps legal. No matter how they try to spin it, Bush broke the law and should suffer the consequences of that action.

[Ready4Change]

12. Were they asked ON THE PHONE?

First off, 1000 people asked? Seems like a low number.

How were the people to be called selected? From what pool?

But here's the real kicker to me:

'...64 percent of 1,000 adults questioned nationwide believed eavesdropping by the National Security Agency should be "allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States."'

You are effectively asking people "Is it ok for the president to monitor phone calls for things he doesn't like" WHILE TALKING TO THEM ON THE PHONE!

Hello? People who don't like this idea are also people who are going to think "Hmmm, what if THIS conversation is being monitored?"

And what about the MSNBC poll, with over 150,000 thousand responses, which indicated that 86% of those people think Bush should be impeached for this? Hmmm. 64% think it's ok, yet 88% think he should be impeached for it?

Another example of this administration cherry picking their information to suit their personal desires, the country be damned.

[Toucano]

33. That's a very good point!

But wasn't the MSNBC poll an online poll?

Online polls aren't worth the sweat off an ant's ass.

[pinniped]

13. Save our lives?

Please, don't do me any favors.

Not this shit again.

--We face a dangerous and determined enemy, an enemy that wants to inflict even greater damage than they did on September 11th here at home. And we've got to use every lawful tool at our disposal to help save lives. Now, the Asshole--:scared:

Interesting choice of words, Mr. Scotty Ahole.

[Spazito]

14. I am breathlessly awaiting their response when the polls, after

surveying the public re ILLEGAL and WARRANTLESS wiretapping of American citizens, show the American public is against it. Hmmmm, somehow, I suspect I will only hear 'crickets'.

Edited to add clarity.

[thefool_wa]

15. Wow, what a d**chebag

ok, my comments need to be organized for this one:

1) That poll question was so loaded that I hope someone took its keys away before it drove home.
2) Scott McClellan is going to hell for his blind support of the murdering, torturing, subversive, traitorous actions of this administration
3) 1000 people does NOT comprise the voice of the American People


Is there any way to get them to stop just making sh*t up to support their actions. Why not ask the question directly to the pollees "Do you support the warrant-less monitoring of the American publics email and telephone conversations, for any reason, absent of a court order?"

I think they would find the answer is completely different.

[Miss Chybil]

18. I support domestic spying in order to capture terrorists.

Within the confines of the law and the Constitution to ensure a run-amok president doesn't start spying and gathering information on plain old citizens who may support his political opposition, his political opponents, or people who do not conform to his religious idealogy. That's not too much to ask, is it - for my president to obey the law while he's protecting me?

[MrPrax]

21. You Can Smell The Sweat...

Scottie must be off his game...maybe he's got family problems. :eyes:

But bringing attention to the POLLS, Scottie!!,

It shows you haven't be following even basic Press Secretary 101--it's right after 'don't get the candidate's name wrong in a speech'--it's the rule that says, 'don't mention the public'

Your boss KNOWS THIS RULE and stated bluntly:

"They've seen me make decisions, they've seen me under trying times, they've seen me weep, they've seen me laugh, they've seen me hug. And they know who I am, and I believe they're comfortable with the fact that they know I'm not going to shift principles or shift positions based upon polls and focus groups." —Interview with USA Today, Aug. 27, 2004

yeah, no kiddin'
Q Oh, now you embrace polls. Okay, I'll tell -- I'll note that for the record. (Laughter.) ...that's gonna bite you in the ass, Scottie

[bif]

23. Bush touts survey that says average American is an idiot.

[Boo Boo]

25. This is called "framing the debate," and once again Dems are getting

left at the starting gate. The question is not whether we should be using these capabilities to prevent terror attacks, the question is *how* they are used. It's not *what* Bush is doing, but *how* he is doing it.

The 'Pubes organize a poll to show Americans support spying on al Qaeda---a question for which the answer was never in doubt. Why don't Dems commission a poll that shows Americans want there to be oversight; that they want the President to be accountable to The People? Do they understand that they have to commission the poll if they want to be sure the right questions get asked?

It's as if, after 5 years of this shit, we Dems haven't learned a goddamn thing. But, really, you'd think that running a poll that asked the question, "Do you think the President should be allowed to spy on Americans without oversight?" would be a no-brainer.

The Dem "message machine" is a sad thing to behold.

[Xenotime]

26. Everyone who voted in those polls...

now have the NSA cookie on thier computers

[truthisfreedom]

27. "we've got to use ever poll at our disposal to save our asses."

[LynnTheDem]

30. Does bush tout polls that show US majority want bush IMPEACHED?

Funny how bush always says he doesn't bother with polls...yet any poll that says what he wants to hear suddenly he touts.

Funny too how so many rightwing Americans are unable to see what a total dickhead idiot bush is.

[wrate]

31. I thought * said on several occasions that he does not care for polls. n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

32. Can they make up their tiny sick little minds once and for all.

Do they or don't they look at the fucking polls?

It's becoming really hard to keep up with all the lies and all.

[booksenkatz]

34. Bet he could tout a poll that would support slavery, too. So what? nt

[pschoeb]

36. Cool, this means Bush will leave office because he has been impeached

in similar polls. I mean by his own argument, he should leave office, since there is a poll that shows that the majority of Americans support his impeachment. I mean he wouldn't want to be a hypocrite, I mean his Jesus defined hypocrites as the very archtype of those who would be sent to hell.

[froshty1960]

37. Hey!

* finally believes that the majority rules! Is his next step to concede to the majority's pick for president in 2000 - Al Gore?

[sakabatou]

38. Which poll and is is scientific?

I mean, the poll could've gotten a new base, like Rassumen (sp.) saying that near 50% support the president.

[superconnected]

39. Bush says it, so it's a lie.

And it's STILL illegal.

Does he want to take a vote on throwing out all law for public opinion at the moment now?

somehow I don't even believe in the legitimacy of the poll - which is being used illegitimately.

[last_texas_dem]

41. And I thought

Shrub was the guy who just did what was right regardless of what the polls said. :sarcasm:

[bleedingheart]

42. they support it because they don't think they are the ones being spied

upon...

[salin]

43. poll says "US folks and terror suspects outside of US..." BUT

the actual program is far more broad - and the surveillance can begin with a US correspondance to a foreign person - with NO suspicions of terrorist ties. Ask the poll to reflect the actual policy - and I wonder if that numbers would be quite the same.