The polls are not asking about illegal domestic spying.

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. Feb. 9-12, 2006. Nationwide.

"Just your best guess -- How likely is it that the federal government has ever wiretapped any of your telephone conversations: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?" N=1,000, MoE ± 3

Very Likely 8%
Somewhat Likely 13%
Not Too Likely 24%
Not At All Likely 52%
Unsure 3%

"As you may know, the Bush Administration has been wiretapping telephone conversations between U.S. citizens living in the United States and suspected terrorists living in other countries without getting a court order allowing it to do so. How closely have you been following the news about this: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?" N=1,000, MoE ± 3

2/9-12/06

Very Closely 32%
Somewhat Closely 41%
Not Too Closely 18%
Not at All 8%
Unsure -

.

"Do you think the Bush Administration was right or wrong in wiretapping these conversations without obtaining a court order?" N=492, MoE ± 5 (Form A)

2/9-12/06

Right 47%
Wrong 50%
Unsure 3%

"Based on what you have heard or read, do you think George W. Bush definitely broke the law, probably broke the law, probably did not break the law, or definitely did not break the law?" N=508, MoE ± 5 (Form B)

2/9-12/06

Definitely Broke 23%
Probably Broke 26%
Probably Didn't Break 24%
Definitely Didn't Break 23%
Unsure 3%


FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. Feb. 7-8, 2006. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all registered voters).

.

"Which political party -- the Republicans or the Democrats -- do you think would do a better job on each of the following issues? Terrorism."

2/7-8/06
Republicans 45%
Democrats 31%
Equal (vol.) 10%
Unsure 14 %

Snip...

Associated Press/Ipsos poll conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Feb. 6-8, 2006. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.

"Should the Bush Administration be required to get a warrant from a judge before monitoring phone and Internet communications between American citizens in the United States and suspected terrorists, or should the government be allowed to monitor such communications without a warrant?"

2/6-8/06

Required To Get Warrant 50%
Monitor Without a Warrant 48%
Unsure 2%


http://www.pollingreport.com/terror.htm

Dear

More than 20,000 TedKennedy.com supporters have endorsed Senate Resolution 350, a clear statement that the 2001 Authorization for Military Force does not authorize the President's warrantless domestic surveillance program. This is an important opportunity for us to stand together against this Administration's reckless behavior.

That's why I'm forwarding Senator Kennedy's earlier message to everyone who hasn't signed yet -- including you.

Please review the language of the resolution -- it makes a compelling case itself -- and then add your name in support:

http://www.tedkennedy.com/res350

There are no sidelines in this fight -- everyone's rights are at stake if the President is not held accountable for his warrantless wiretapping program.

This resolution puts it in plain english: Congress never gave the President the authorization to spy on American citizens without judicial oversight. And by ignoring the courts, the President has undermined our system of checks and balances -- and but the nation at risk.

We have to show the White House, the Republican leadership and the American people we are united to protect our country and ready to prevent politics from getting in the way of national security.

Thank you for continued attention and support of our online program. I hope you'll take this opportunity to endorse Senate Resolution 350.

http://www.tedkennedy.com/res350

Sincerely,

Marty

---
Marty Walsh, Campaign Manager
Kennedy for Senate 2006
56 Roland Street, Suite 203
Boston, MA 02129
www.tedkennedy.com

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:
Date:
From:
To:
Not Authorized
Wed, February 15, 2006 3:41 pm
Senator Ted Kennedy
Marty Walsh



Dear Marty,


Once again, the Bush Administration has been caught abusing its power, and in doing so has undermined our ability to protect American citizens.

I take a back seat to no one when it comes to protecting our homeland and have worked to give the President the necessary tools to fight the war on terror. Yet, the Administration's reckless and irresponsible behavior weakens our national security interests, and undermines our very system of government. The President blatantly refused to work with Congress and the courts to conduct this program lawfully, even though past Presidents have worked within the law when conducting the surveillance programs necessary to protect our nation's security.

Because the President ignored the laws set by Congress to regulate domestic surveillance of US citizens, evidence collected through his warrantless wire-tapping program may not be admissible in courts, and our front-line intelligence officials have been put in serious legal jeopardy. By going it alone, the Administration has undercut our national security.

Our nation must abide by the rule of law and the Constitution, and when we do not, we place our fundamental liberties and values at risk. Now we must make it clear to the President that no law supports these activities. Senator Pat Leahy and I have introduced Senate Resolution 350 to specifically address the legality of this Administration's program. Please review the language and then add your name to its supporters:

http://www.tedkennedy.com/res350

Our resolution rejects the Administration's argument that the domestic spying operation was improved implicitly in the "Authorization for Use of Military Force" that Congress passed in 2001 for the war in Afghanistan. There's no evidence that Congress implied any such thing in that resolution.

Your signature will make it clear that Americans and their representatives in Congress never authorized the President to bypass our Constitution and laws:

http://www.tedkennedy.com/res350

Our national security is inextricably bound up with our constitutional rights as citizens of this country. This relationship is not a partisan question, but an American fact. Indeed, many Republicans have expressed outrage over President Bush's rejection of the need for lawful approval and oversight.

You can help us correct the abusive actions of this Administration. Join us and show the President that we intend to stand strong both for our national security, for the rule of law, and for our basic constitutional rights:

http://www.tedkennedy.com/res350

No American - Republican or Democrat - can dispute the importance of protecting our nation, but we must fight for our values, too.

Sincerely,



Senator Edward M. Kennedy