(ABC) Poll: Americans Support Searches (Congress Search Issue)

sabra

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Thu Jun-01-06 08:25 AM
Original message

(ABC) Poll: Americans Support Searches (Congress Search Issue)

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/PollVault/story?id=2025343&page=1

Poll: Americans Support SearchesPublic Sides With FBI in Congress Search Issue

June 1, 2006 -- In the rift between Congress and the Justice Department, Americans side overwhelmingly with law enforcement: Regardless of precedent and the separation of powers, 86 percent say the FBI should be allowed to search a Congress member's office if it has a warrant.

That view is broadly bipartisan, this ABC News poll finds, ranging from 78 percent among Democrats to 94 percent of Republicans.

The issue erupted last week, after the FBI searched the offices of Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., in a corruption investigation. Congress leaders objected, and George W. Bush put a 45-day hold on the seized documents to allow for negotiations.

The issue arises at a time of various investigations of alleged wrongdoing in Congress, including those focused on the activities of lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

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Bacchus39

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Thu Jun-01-06 08:26 AM
Response to Original message

1. considering the amount of crime that occurs in Congress

its little wonder the legislative branch is "outraged".

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Demeter

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Thu Jun-01-06 08:32 AM
Response to Original message

2. What Idiocy!

Ask the public if they support the government searching THEM without a warrant or even probable cause--it's always okay as long as it's somebody else in trouble! This nation needs Remedial Constitution Classes.

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rodeodance

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Thu Jun-01-06 09:10 AM
Response to Reply #2

4. The Sargent at arms should have been present to record what was

taken--and Jefferson should have had a representative. As many have said, it was the way it was done that is the problem.

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Ravy

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Thu Jun-01-06 10:18 AM
Response to Reply #2

10. They had a warrant and probable cause in this case.

I see nothing wrong with it.

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Mist

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Thu Jun-01-06 08:47 AM
Response to Original message

3. I guess I interpret that to mean people think the Congress shouldn't

exclude itself from searches (with warrents). People don't think the Congress is above the law.

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MissMillie

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Thu Jun-01-06 09:11 AM
Response to Original message

5. Well, I certainly think there shouldn't be a double standard

If they're going to uphold the Constitution when it comes to searches of THEIR stuff, then they should uphold it when it comes to searches of OUR stuff.

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Proud Liberal Dem

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Thu Jun-01-06 10:02 AM
Response to Original message

6. What's the issue?

Frankly, I don't understand what the uproar is. If the FBI has probable cause to believe that a member of Congress is conducting criminal activity out of their offices or that there may be evidence of criminal activity present within their office, how can the FBI not be legally allowed to search the premises for evidence of the alleged wrongdoing (assuming they have a warrant)? Members of Congress are NOT above the law (even though many of them pretend they are, of course) and are subject to investigation and prosecution by law enforcement just the same as everybody else (unless there are some "special" procedures that I'm simply not aware of).

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indypaul

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Thu Jun-01-06 10:08 AM
Response to Original message

7. Most of those persons polled

Edited on Thu Jun-01-06 10:10 AM by indypaul

would likewise repeal the Bill of Rights, if asked. This is not an issue to
be decided by polls nor completely understood by "summer soldiers" and
"sunshine patriots." This issue strikes at the very foundation of this
nation.

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bpj1962

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Thu Jun-01-06 10:16 AM
Response to Reply #7

9. Search Warrants

Prior to entering the office the FBI must present a search warrant to either the owner of the premises or the land lord. They must also state what exactly they are looking for. A judge is not going to issue a search warrant on a congressman's office without good cause. If Jefferson was hiding evidence in his office then the FBI can certainly search for it.

As for most americans giving away their rights, I think that most americans couldn't name more then 2 of their rights under the constitution. We have a society that does not realize how hard it is to get those rights back once they are taken away.

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indypaul

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Thu Jun-01-06 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #9

11. This not about Jefferson

he more than likely could have been convicted on the evidence they already had.
His guilt or innocence and his rights are secondary to a clear violation of the
separation of powers. Do you think for one minute that Janet Reno could have any
Congressional office searched for evidence relating to any possible complaisance in
the Waco or Clinton affair? There would have been barricades in the streets should
such an event have taken place. There are procedures available to DofJ for such
necessary searches for criminal activity by a legislature. The administration and
judiciary chose not to follow those procedures and in doing so committed a grave
violation of the Constitution and its separation of powers clauses. That is the issue and
don't let them weasel out of it by advocating only Jefferson's activity.

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Jawja

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Thu Jun-01-06 10:11 AM
Response to Original message

8. Wasn't it an ABC "poll"

that quickly confirmed that the public supported phone records being turned over in mass without a warrant?

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