Americans split on probe of detainee abuses

Americans are split on whether the Obama administration should criminally investigate treatment of terrorist suspects during the Bush administration, a new Gallup poll found Friday.

49 percent of Americans said that they disapproved of Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the alleged Bush-era abuses.

By contrast, 47 percent said they approved of the decision, while four percent had no opinion.

The split mirrors a debate in Washington, where Republicans and Democrats have battled in a war of words over Holder's decision to probe abuses.

But among independents polled by Gallup, the opinion of the probe tilts against Holder. 55 percent of independents said they disapproved of the investigation, while 40 percent approved.

The poll, conducted August 31 through September 2, has a four percent margin of error.