ConfirmThem

By AndrewHyman Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

A new Associated Press-Ipsos poll shows that 43% of people believe judicial decisions are based mostly on the judges' personal beliefs and political opinions, while 51% believe those decisions are based upon the law. Other poll results are below the fold.

UPDATE: Matthew J. Franck comments at Bench Memos.

1. Generally speaking, do you think that federal judges in this country are too conservative, too liberal or about right?

Too conservative, 24 percent

Too liberal, 30 percent

About right, 37 percent

Not sure, 9 percent

2. Would you like the federal judges nominated by President Bush to have political views that are...

Very conservative, 13 percent

Somewhat conservative, 34 percent

Somewhat liberal, 29 percent

Very liberal, 11 percent

Moderate, middle of the road (volunteered), 6 percent

Not sure, 7 percent

Total Conservative — 47 percent

Total Liberal — 39 percent

(Results to question 3 from November AP-Ipsos poll in parentheses)

3. In President Bush's second term, he may have the opportunity to appoint several new justices to the U.S. (United States) Supreme Court. How comfortable are you that George W. Bush would nominate the right kind of justices to the Supreme Court?

Very comfortable, 29 percent (37)

Somewhat comfortable, 23 percent (22)

Not too comfortable, 14 percent (12)

Not at all comfortable, 32 percent (29)

TOTAL COMFORTABLE, 52 percent (59)

TOTAL NOT COMFORTABLE, 46 percent (41)

4. As you may know, the president nominates federal judges, but the appointments must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Do you think the Senate should...

Give the president's judicial nominees the benefit of the doubt and approve them without a lot of scrutiny, 18 percent

Take an assertive role in examining each nominee, 78 percent

Not sure, 4 percent

5. Do you think judges usually base their decisions...

Mostly on their interpretation of the law, 51 percent

Mostly on their personal beliefs and political opinions, 43 percent

Not sure, 6 percent