California Poll: Presidential Pardons Can Have up to 2/3 Public Support - in Cases of Non-Violent Criminals
Now that President Bush has given his final State of the Union address, a California poll shows that people currently serving sentences for past non-violent crimes may have public support in California for a possible reprieve from the President before he leaves office.

/Politics News Articles/ - SAN FRANCISCO, CA, February 03, 2008 - Presidents often come under intense scrutiny and criticism for pardons granted in their final year of office. Now that President Bush has given his final State of the Union address, there are likely many people currently sentences and others facing prosecution who are hoping for a reprieve from President Bush before he leaves office.

Chariot LLC as part of its recent California Statewide survey tested a question designed to gauge arguments typically made to the public by executives granting pardons to non-violent criminals whose crimes took place some years ago.

In California, the argument tested was well-received. Here is the question and results:

"As you may know, every president has the power to grant a pardon to an individual. Some presidents have granted hundreds of pardons, usually for people who have committed non-violent crimes many years ago. Do you believe it is a good idea for the President of the United States to be able to use the pardon power for good and useful purposes, including giving people convicted of a nonviolent crime a second chance?"
[CHOICE/STRONG OR SOMEWHAT?]

RESPONSE: TOTAL/ GOP/ DEM/ DTS
YES - STRONGLY: 45.4%/ 45.3%/ 47.4%/ 47.1%
YES - SOMEWHAT: 21.6%/ 23.5%/ 19.7%/ 5.9%
NO - SOMEWHAT: 5.9%/ 7.3%/ 4.4%/ 23.5%
NO - STRONGLY: 14.6%/ 12.5%/ 16.8%/ 5.9%
DK/NO OPINION: 10.7%/ 10.0%/ 10.6%/ 11.8%
REFUSED: 1.8%/ 1.4%/ 1.2%/ 5.9%/
Total: 100.0%/ 100.0%/ 100.0%/ 100.0%/

Survey respondents were 800 likely February 5 Presidential primary election voters in California. Margin of error +/-3.46% at 95% confidence interval. Questionnaire was fielded January 22-24, 2008.

www.chariotresearch.com

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James Fisfis
Chariot LLC
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