Poll: Twenty Percent Of Americans Support Torturing Terrorist Suspects

A CNN poll released on Wednesday revealed that roughly 20 percent of the public said the interrogation techniques used by the Bush administration constituted torture but support use of the techniques on terrorist suspects regardless.

The figure, somewhat buried in the release of the poll, helps explains why, as CNN Polling Director Keating Holland says, "a majority don't want to see former Bush officials investigated."

Six out of every ten people surveyed said they believed that the interrogation techniques used by the Bush White House -- including waterboarding -- were a "form of torture." One out of every five of those individuals, nevertheless, thought the application of these techniques on suspected terrorists was justified. Fifty percent of all respondents said they approved of the former administration's use of "harsh interrogation procedures," including the waterboard.

The findings provide a rather frank insight into how a substantial portion of the country approaches the debate over counter-terrorism policies and the suggestion that an investigation should be launched should it be proven that laws were broken. Only 42 percent of respondents said they believed Congress should conduct an investigation of the Bush administration officials who authorized the use of those procedures; 57 percent said no. The same percentage supported an independent panel investigation, with 55 percent opposing that forum as well.

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Comments

[KevinLoyalAmerican]

20%

Same percentage as were saying GW Bush was doing a good job last December, and same number who identify themselves as Republican.

Maybe that same 20% is all set to be the population of the sovereign nation of Texas.

We can dream, can't we?

[wideawakenow]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[swo68]

58%

The number of Democrats who believe torture can be justified.

That number has trended upwards from 53% since last February. The 58% figure is from the end of April. ( http://people-press.org/report/510/public-remains-divided-over-use-of-torture )

[hortonhearsawho2]

there is a nice nieighborhood in dallas that could accomodate them...

[Frenbar]

When you consider that 50% think that an invisible magic man in the sky created the earth in a week just 4,000 years ago, 20% on torture isn't bad.

[TheMellowFellow]

More like 85%...it's really embarrassing how many religious fools we have in our country, and how they all use God to justify their terrible actions.

[posttheist]

,,,whats worse is that GW Bush said he spoke with God on a daily basis....s­o, there were voices in his head telling him to kill and torture muslims...­??? CrAzY!

[workingliberal]

20%....all Repugs I'm sure.

[njborne]

20% of Americans support torture. 80% don't. Approx 20 to 21% of Americans identified themselves as Republicans. Approximately 78% of Americans believe America is on the right track with President Obama. The other 22% do not... Do you see the trend here? America don't torture. And Americans, the vast majority, don't want to hear anything from Yoo, the architect of practice.

[mdmurphyla]

Everyone seems to have misunderstood this article. It is very alarming. The 20% they have referred to are only 20% of those that actually believe it is torture (60%). 40 percent dont even think waterboarding is torture. Add 40 percent plus 20 percent of 60 percent and you have more than half the country that thinks waterboarding is either legal or, even if illegal, still ok.

Frightening.

[Saxton]

I guess no one from the pro torture argument understands that by okaying torture, we have also given permission for our troops to be tortured.

[Dolmance]

Consider the Al Qaida has never captured an American they didn't torture to death. This began before Americans even knew who Al Qaida was.

And their propensity to commit atrocities is what brought them the relatively mild treatment known as water boarding.

[GalenL]

The question is do you know who Al Qaeda was?

[Gidster]

So they did it, that makes it OK for us to do it as well? What are you 9?

It is against Islamic law as well as the Geneva convention, so I merely point out the flaw in your argument.

We tortured hundreds, some to death. The number of American soldiers confirmed executed is 2.

[Dolmance]

I happen to be very left wing. And if it was up to me, I'd take all those Islamic rednecks, who are nothing more than an exotic, hookah smoking version of America's own Religious Right, and I'd make them drag wooden crosses to the nearest garbage dump and then I'd nail 'em to it.

Because the Geneva Convention is a treaty. And treaties are by definition an agreement between two or more parties. And to afford rights to an enemy under a treaty they refuse to abide by is simply unintelligent and invites bad behavior.

Al Qaida has never caught an American they didn't torture to death.

[PengieP]

So, you are saying that we shouldn't be any better than Al Queda? Sorry dude, I hold our Republic to much higher standards than that.

[workingliberal]

And that's why they are the TERRORISTS!

[Gidster]

So you would lower yourself to their level, to what? Prove a point?

Their non compliance does not justify your non compliance.

[Lt]

SURE THEY DO,

HEY! TWENTY PERCENT?

ANYONE ELSE THINK THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE SAME

TWENTY PERCENT THAT,

STILL SUPPORT GW BUSH/CHENEY,

STILL SUPPORT THE MINDLESS WAR IN IRAQ,

ARE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS,

ARE FUNCTIONALLY ILLITERATE??

[madbonger618]

This is further proof that only 70% of this country is made up of reasonable people. 20% of Americans are so far right they support things like torture and think the President is some sort ot evil socialist anti-Christ.

10% are so far left they couldn't get behind President Bush even right after 9/11.

By a margin of at least 2 to 1 the Republicans are the party of Insane Wackos.

[MikeDu]

"10% are so far left they couldn't get behind President Bush even right after 9/11"

What do you mean by "get behind"? Tell me what *precisely *we were supposed to 'get behind' and I'll tell you if I supported it.
Hunting down the perpetators of 9-11? - Yes. Too bad Bush failed to capture bin Laden.
Do you mean those six thousand innocent people snatched off the street after 9-11 just so it would 'look like' the FBI was doing something constructive, and held under brutal conditions without charge, access a lawyer, or even contact with their family? - No.
I find it highly offensive that you would try to lump people who were genuinely appalled by the immorality of Bush policy with the *opposite* end of the spectrum who cheered on those same Bush's policies.

[LauraNo]

That is because he stole an election. Not a way to get people's support. What kind of support did Bush need and not get after 9/11? I hear this statement made all the time, I'd like to know what is meant.

[BassMent]

Wow, just last night on Hardball Chris Matthews showed a new poll that said 21% of Americans self-identify as Republicans.

Coincidence?

I think not!

(Seems to be a recurring theme developing in this comment thread....­)

[mdzend]

Count me in on that......

[intpseeker]

20% in favor of torture. 20% Republican base. Coincidence? I know not!

[basschakra]

exactly!!

[tbonehead]

is this the seceding 20%; they will wind up torturing each other with ignorance and boredom.

[lizt]

This is the same 20% that self-identify as Republicans.

[jb578261]

1/5th of Americans can't locate the US on a map. Coincidence???? I think not!