Majority (49-39) of Americans Reject Waterboarding (Angus Reid Poll)
Most people in the United States condemn the use of waterboarding by the American military and intelligence agencies, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,010 American adults, 49 per cent of respondents disapprove of the practice known as waterboarding—33 per cent of them strongly.
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Six in ten of Americans Approve Complete Ban on Torture (World Public Opinion Poll)
60 percent of Americans approve of having an international convention saying that "governments should never use physical torture." Additionally majorities supported the ban of specific "enhanced interrogation" techniques.
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More approve of Obama's handling of terrorism, Iran than they do of his handling of the two top domestic issues (Wash Post-ABC)
More approve of Obama’s handling of international affairs (61%) and terrorism (57%) than they do of his handling of the economy (56%) and health care (53%), the two top domestic issues. More approve of Obama’s handling of Iran (52%) than approve of his handling of the budget deficit (48%) and the auto giants (45%). Other recent polls have shown similar findings.
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The National Security Case Against Torture
We highly recommend this messaging guide making the national security case against torture. This paper contains specific messaging tips, a number of quotes from key military, intelligence and security experts as well as a section with tips for answering hard questions.
59% believe Gitmo boosted anti-American sentiment, 51% would launch investigation into treatment of terror suspects (Angus Reid)
59 per cent of respondents believe the treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo boosted anti-American sentiment in the world and despite a majority who felt "harsh Interrogation techniques" were necessary to prevent another terrorist attack, 51 per cent would launch an official investigation to review whether any laws were broken in the way terrorism suspects were treated under the Bush administration...
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64% approve of Obama's job on national security, 2-1 believe Obama is doing a better job on national security than Bush (DCorps)
A new Democracy Corps poll released by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner today shows that after 100 days in office, President Barack Obama has, at least for now effectively erased doubts that Americans have historically harbored about the Democratic Party’s vision and competence on national security.
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U.S. Public Opinion on Torture, 2001-2009 new survey dataset shows majority of Americans oppose govt's use of torture (Reed)
Using a new survey dataset on torture collected during the 2008 election combined with a comprehensive archive of public opinion on torture, this whitepaper shows that a majority of Americans have been opposed to torture.
First 100 Days: POLLS on Torture and Guantanamo
Rethink Media will be tracking and updating this document of polls and poll questions related to Guantanamo and Torture throughout the Obama administration.