Smithers MINNEAPOLIS

Ooh Ooh! Michelle Malkin thinks she’s onto something!

SORRY, NYTIMES: AMERICA IS OK WITH NSA

I’m not much of a poll watcher, but the new Rasmussen numbers on Americans’ views of the National Security Agency’s counterterrorism programs are very notable:

December 28, 2005–Sixty-four percent (64%) of Americans believe the National Security Agency (NSA) should be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 23% disagree.

Three questions for Mrs. Malkin:

• How come Rasmussen did not ask if the NSA should be able to conduct these interceptions without a warrant?

• What would have the poll numbers been if the question was phrased: “Should the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States without a warrant?”

• Since the question was not phrased that way, why do only 64% of Americans respond positively? I would think that Americans would respond overwhelmingly positive to a poll asking if the NSA could conduct a legal activity. Unless, of course, this poll actually shows how little support the Administration has for their phone tapping policy.

So, as usual, Michelle Malkin is on the wrong track. “Not much of a poll watcher” indeed. How typical.