The Eye

While a slim majority favors an investigation, on a relative basis the percentage is quite low because Americans are generally quite supportive of government probes into potential misconduct by public officials. In recent years, for example, Americans were far more likely to favor investigations into the firing of eight U.S. attorneys (72 percent), government databases of telephone numbers dialed by Americans (62 percent), oil company profits (82 percent), and the government's response to Hurricane Katrina (70 percent).

To gain a better understanding of how Americans feel about the matter, Gallup combined the results of the questions on whether the techniques were justified and whether the government should investigate. All told, the greatest number of Americans, 30 percent, seem to agree with Cheney's position that the ends justified the means and that no investigation is necessary. Nearly as many (25 percent), though, would appear to side with many congressional Democrats who say the techniques should not have been used and an investigation is warranted. Twenty-three percent think the techniques were warranted yet still favor an investigation, while 10 percent think the methods should not have been used but nevertheless oppose an official inquiry.