The American public has been unwavering in its support for keeping the prison at Guantanamo open — in this week’s Economist/YouGov Poll (Week of 1/14/2012), 50% want to keep Guantanamo open; just 28% would shut it down.
But most Americans would like the prisoners held there to face trial, although by two to one, they want those trials to be held by military tribunals, and not through the U.S. court system. The public has held these positions throughout the Obama Presidency.
The President himself fares poorly when it comes to the assessment of how he has handled Guantanamo. His position, to close Guantanamo, is opposed by Americans, and that shows in their assessment of how he is handling the situation. More disapprove than approve of his overall handling of Guantanamo.
Photo source: Press Association
