A majority of the public doesn't approve of the NSA programs. Imagine that.
by digby
I don't know why the administration scheduled their big NSA reform speech on a Friday before a three day week-end, but if the intent was to make sure it didn't rally the public it seems to have gotten the job done:
President Obama’s speech on Friday outlining changes to the National Security Agency’s collection of telephone and internet data did not register widely with the public. Half say they have heard nothing at all about his proposed changes to the NSA, and another 41% say they heard only a little bit. Even among those heard about Obama’s speech, few think the changes will improve privacy protections, or make it more difficult for the government to fight terrorism.
I wrote the other day that quite a few people seem to have evolved in their views on this subject. I don't know whether it's the weight of all the revelations or simply that a reflexive support in the moment has given way to more contemplation but I have been sensing a shift on this subject. And this polling backs that up:
The good news for the government is that a majority of the people still want a criminal case to be brought against the man who revealed the information to them. So they have that.
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