The USA Today 51 opposition poll, in depth:

GOVERNMENT PHONE RECORDS REACTION

First, thinking about how the government is dealing with the issue of terrorism,

1. Do you think the Bush administration has gone too far, has been about right, or has not gone far enough in restricting people’s civil liberties in order to fight terrorism]?
Too far About right Not far enough No opinion
2006 May 12-13 41 34 19 6
2006 Jan 6-8 38 40 19 3
2003 Nov 10-12 ^ 28 48 21 3
2003 Aug 25-26 ^ 21 55 19 5
2002 Sep 2-4 ^ 15 55 26 4
2002 Jun 21-23 ^ 11 60 25 4
^ Asked of a half sample.

2. As you may know, as part of its efforts to investigate terrorism, a federal government agency obtained records from three of the largest U.S. telephone companies in order to create a database of billions of telephone numbers dialed by Americans. How closely have you been following the news about this?
Very closely Somewhat closely Not too closely Not at all No opinion
2006 May 12-13 28 39 20 12 *

3. Based on what you have heard or read about this program to collect phone records, would you say you approve or disapprove of this government program?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
2006 May 12-13 43 51 6

4. Is that mainly because you do not think the program seriously violates Americans’ civil liberties, (or is it mainly because) you think investigating terrorism is the more important goal, even if it violates some Americans’ civil liberties?

BASED ON 349 ADULTS WHO APPROVE OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
Does not seriously violate civil liberties Terrorism more important, even if violates civil liberties No opinion
2006 May 12-13 27 69 4

5. Do you think there would ever be circumstances in which it would be right for the government to create a database of telephone records, or would it not be right for the government to do this under any circumstances?

BASED ON 411 ADULTS WHO DISAPPROVE OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
Yes, are No, are not No opinion
2006 May 12-13 34 60 6

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON ALL AMERICANS
2006 May 12-13
Approve 43
(Does not violate civil liberties) (12)
(Terrorism more important, even if it violates civil liberties) (29)
(Unsure) (2)

Disapprove 51
(Yes, are circumstances in which it would be right) (17)
(No, are not circumstances) (31)
(Unsure) (3)
No opinion 6

6. Based on what you have heard or read about this program, do you think it definitely violates the law, probably violates the law, probably does not violate the law, (or) definitely does not violate the law?
Definitely violates the law Probably violates the law Probably does not violate the law Definitely does not violate the law No opinion
2006 May 12-13 22 32 25 14 8

7. If you knew that the federal government had your telephone records, how concerned would you be -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all?
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not too concerned Not concerned at all No opinion
2006 May 12-13 22 13 20 44 1

8. If you knew that your telephone company had provided your telephone records to the federal government as part of this program, would you feel that your personal privacy had been violated, or not?
Yes, would feel violated No, would not No opinion
2006 May 12-13 57 42 1

9. Would you favor or oppose holding immediate Congressional hearings to investigate this program?
Favor Oppose No opinion
2006 May 12-13 62 34 4

10. How concerned are you that:

A. Based on this program, the government would misidentify innocent Americans as possible terrorist suspects
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not too concerned Not concerned at all No opinion
2006 May 12-13 36 29 21 14 1

B. Based on this program, the government would listen in on telephone conversations within the U.S. without first obtaining a warrant
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not too concerned Not concerned at all No opinion
2006 May 12-13 41 22 17 19 1

C. The government is gathering other information on the general public, such as their bank records or Internet usage
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not too concerned Not concerned at all No opinion
2006 May 12-13 45 22 15 17 1

Finally, thinking about the news media,

11. Do you think the news media should -- or should not -- report information it obtains about the secret methods the government is using to fight terrorism?
Yes, should No, should not No opinion
2006 May 12-13 47 49 3