There’s a new Gallup poll about the revelation that in 2003 George W. Bush authorized top aides to discuss some aspects of the National Intelligence Estimate with reporters. The poll, which was weighted a bit toward Democrats, shows that Bush’s opponents have made headway in their effort to convince people — especially independents — that the president somehow broke the law in all this.
Gallup asked, “Which of the following statements best describes your view of George W. Bush in these matters — he did something illegal, he did not do anything illegal but did something unethical, or he did not do anything seriously wrong?” Overall, 21 percent said Bush has done something illegal, 42 percent said he has done something unethical, and 28 percent said he has done nothing seriously wrong (nine percent had no opinion). Together, that makes for 63 percent of the public who said Bush has done something that is either illegal or unethical.
A closer look at the numbers reveals a pretty sharp partisan divide. Of Republicans in the Gallup sample, just four percent said Bush has done something illegal, while 33 percent of Democrats said he has done something illegal. (Twenty-three percent of independents said Bush has done something illegal.)
Perhaps the most striking statistic is that 26 percent of Republicans said Bush has done something unethical. For Democrats, the number was 52 percent. (Forty-seven percent of independents said he has done something unethical.) Finally, 61 percent of Republicans said Bush has done nothing seriously wrong, while just eight percent of Democrats said that. (Eighteen percent of independents said he has done nothing seriously wrong.)
Put it all together, and 30 percent of Republicans said Bush has done something illegal or unethical, while 85 percent of Democrats and 70 percent of independents said that.