Americans Want Torture Investigation: Poll

Two-thirds of Americans want an investigation into alleged Bush administration misdeeds, including torture and warrantless wiretapping, a USA Today/Gallup poll shows. Forty percent of respondents would like to see criminal probes; one-quarter would prefer investigations without the possibility of criminal charges. And even more—70% of those surveyed—said the government should look into allegations that administration officials tried to use the Justice Department for political purposes.

Some lawmakers have already called for inquiries. Senate Judiciary Committee chair  Patrick Leahy suggested a “truth commission,” saying, “We need to get to the bottom of what happened and why.” His House counterpart supports a similar move. The Obama administration has not ruled out an investigation, but “my general orientation is to say, let's get it right moving forward,” the president said. (More warrantless wiretapping stories.)