Friday, March 16, 2007

GALLUP: Americans Oppose Libby Pardon, Cheney Approval at New Low

NEW YORK While backing a pardon for convicted former vice presidential aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby has proved popular among pundits, it finds little support in the general population, a new Gallup poll taken in the past week reveals.

Two out of three adults (67%) feel that President Bush should not pardon Libby, who was convicted in federal court of perjury and obstruction of justice. Just 21% feel that he should.

The poll also found that 34% of Americans approve of the job Dick Cheney is doing as vice president. That is down six points from a year ago, and is the lowest approval score Gallup has measured for Cheney.

Many pundits have declared that not many Americans actually care about the Libby case. But Gallup found that 43% say they followed the news about the Libby trial "very" or "somewhat" closely.

No subgroup showed majority support for a pardon. Republicans (34%), though, are more likely than independents (21%) and Democrats (11%) to favor one.

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