In my March 23 column, I wrote: ” Imagine how the poll results might have turned out if ABC News had made clear to participants that Terri is not terminally ill.” Well, no need to imagine any longer. A new Zogby poll suggests that if Americans knew the details of the Schiavo case they would not have supported removing her feeding tube. Lifenews.com reports:

Polls leading up to the death of Terri Schiavo made it appear Americans had formed a consensus in favor of ending her life. However, a new Zogby poll with fairer questions shows the nation clearly supporting Terri and her parents and wanting to protect the lives of other disabled patients.

The Zogby poll found that, if a person becomes incapacitated and has not expressed their preference for medical treatment, as in Terri’s case, 43 percent say “the law presume that the person wants to live, even if the person is receiving food and water through a tube” while just 30 percent disagree.

Another Zogby question [bears] directly on Terri’s circumstances.

“If a disabled person is not terminally ill, not in a coma, and not being kept alive on life support, and they have no written directive, should or should they not be denied food and water,” the poll asked.

A whopping 79 percent said the patient should not have food and water taken away while just 9 percent said yes.

Hat tip: David Limbaugh, whose blog post title says it all: Now they tell us.

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Will Franklin has more and concludes: “When people learn the actual facts of the case, the consensus for death turns on its head.”

Previous/related: Pat Caddell on predetermined polls. Kaus’s take.

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