FOR HIS PURPOSES, THE UNPOPULAR CAN NEVER BE PRAGMATIC:

Opinions on torture, closing Gitmo pose political problems (Liz Sidoti, 6/03/09, The Associated Press)

Just more than half of Americans say torture is at least sometimes justified to thwart terrorist attacks, and the country is evenly divided over whether to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, according to a poll that underscores President Barack Obama’s challenges in selling his terrorism-fighting policies. [...]

The poll also shows potential areas of political vulnerability for Obama, indicating he must walk a fine line as he seeks to both protect the country and turn the page on Bush’s national security policies.

Fifty-two percent of people say torture can be at least sometimes justified to obtain information about terrorist activities from suspects, an increase from 38 percent in 2005, when the AP last asked the question. More than two-thirds of Republicans say torture can be justified compared with just more than a third of Democrats.