Astounding

Maybe we know why Wayne Allard and other Republicans have come down so hard on Sen. Russ Feingold for introducing a resolution to censure the President. According to the American Research Group more Americans favor censure than oppose it! Among all adults, the figures are 46 percent in favor of censure, 44 percent opposed; among voters the divide is a bit wider: 48 percent to 43 percent. [Thanks to Taegan Goddard and Kevin Drum for pointing the poll out.]

Frankly, I find this result astounding (hence the title of this post). Most reports show the nation about evenly divided over domestic spying, and I would expect a large number of those who think it a bad idea to say that censure is a bit further than they are willing to go. When Sen. Feingold introduced his resolution, many Democrats backed away (Tom Harkin of Iowa finally joined as a co-sponsor yesterday, and he was the first senator with the fortitude to do so) and Republicans ridiculed the idea, and the press gave them a lot of coverage.

Obviously, Americans are ahead of their elected officials. Let's hope that it's true that when the people will lead, the leaders will follow.