Saturday, July 16, 2011

Poll Watch: Fairleigh Dickinson PublicMind National Survey on CIA Interrogation Methods

Fairleigh Dickinson PublicMind National Survey on CIA Interrogation Methods

Finding Osama Bin Laden has raised the question about whether harsh interrogation methods such as waterboarding are effective in gathering useful information. In general, do you think harsh interrogation methods are very effective, somewhat effective, not very effective, or not effective at all in gathering useful intelligence?
  • Very effective 33%
  • Somewhat effective 32%
  • Not very effective 9%
  • Not effective at all 14%
Among Democrats
  • Very effective 21%
  • Somewhat effective 26%
  • Not very effective 15%
  • Not effective at all 24%
Among Republicans
  • Very effective 50%
  • Somewhat effective 35%
  • Not very effective 4%
  • Not effective at all 5%
Among Independents
  • Very effective 33%
  • Somewhat effective 36%
  • Not very effective 10%
  • Not effective at all 11%
Among Men
  • Very effective 41%
  • Somewhat effective 26%
  • Not very effective 9%
  • Not effective at all 12%
Among Women
  • Very effective 25%
  • Somewhat effective 37%
  • Not very effective 9%
  • Not effective at all 15%
Do you think the use of harsh interrogation techniques can be justified often, sometimes, rarely, or never?
  • Often 21%
  • Sometimes 37%
  • Rarely 15%
  • Never 20%
Among Democrats
  • Often 15%
  • Sometimes 29%
  • Rarely 21%
  • Never 27%
Among Republicans
  • Often 35%
  • Sometimes 43%
  • Rarely 15%
  • Never 5%
Among Independents
  • Often 19%
  • Sometimes 43%
  • Rarely 17%
  • Never 19%
Some people call the harsh interrogation methods 'enhanced interrogation techniques' while others call them 'torture.' Which is closer to your view?
  • Enhanced interrogation techniques 46%
  • Torture 40%
Among Democrats
  • Enhanced interrogation techniques 33%
  • Torture 55%
Among Republicans
  • Enhanced interrogation techniques 68%
  • Torture 22%
Among Independents
  • Enhanced interrogation techniques 45%
  • Torture 41%
National survey of 808 adults was conducted June 1-7, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3.5 percentage points.

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