A Time-Louis Harris Poll: The War: New Support For Nixon

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Though the public does not agree with Agnew's overall attacks on TV and the press, it is highly critical of the news media for their part in reporting the My Lai incident. Sixty-seven percent of those polled believe that the press and TV should not have reported statements by soldiers involved prior to a trial. Americans show considerable sympathy for Lieut. William Galley, the platoon leader charged with over 100 of the deaths at My Lai. By a margin of 55% to 23%, they believe that Calley is being made a scapegoat by the Government.

Although Nixon has not been hurt by either My Lai or the moratoriums, his consensus is still clouded. Americans may support his policy in the short run, but they remain disturbingly uncertain about both the success of Vietnamization and the ultimate outcome of the war. A plurality of 41% to 39% believe that South Viet Nam will be unable to defend itself without U.S. troops. More significant, the number who feel that South Viet Nam will eventually go Communist has not changed one point since October. It was 43% then and remains 43% now. The message seems clear: Americans are less interested in fighting the war than ending it, and will support their President's efforts to wind it down—but not continue it indefinitely.