I’m not much of a poll watcher, but the new Rasmussen numbers on Americans’ views of the National Security Agency’s counterterrorism programs are very notable:

December 28, 2005–Sixty-four percent (64%) of Americans believe the National Security Agency (NSA) should be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 23% disagree.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Americans say they are following the NSA story somewhat or very closely.

Just 26% believe President Bush is the first to authorize a program like the one currently in the news. Forty-eight percent (48%) say he is not while 26% are not sure.

Eighty-one percent (81%) of Republicans believe the NSA should be allowed to listen in on conversations between terror suspects and people living in the United States. That view is shared by 51% of Democrats and 57% of those not affiliated with either major political party.

Hat tip: Ace of Spades

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Anyone got any predictions on what the Times’ stock chart will look like in 2006?

Reader Daniel G. writes:

“Nearly 10 million shares outstanding of New York Times stock are being held “short”–i.e., investors believe they will continue to fall.

Sure looks that way.

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On a related note, Don Lambro at the WashTimes reports that “some Centrist Democrats” (whoever they are) are worried that “attacks by their party leaders on the Bush administration’s eavesdropping on suspected terrorist conversations will further weaken the party’s credibility on national security.”

Gee, ya think?