Quote:

---

Americans feel sadness, anger and shock in the wake of the tragic events in Tucson, Arizona, according to a new national poll. A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday also indicates there's plenty of blame to go around over the shootings, but two-thirds of the public is pessimistic that the government or society can prevent something like this from happening again.

According to the survey, just under half also blame the harsh rhetoric and violent metaphors used by politicians and commentators as a contributing factor behind the shootings, and 54 percent believe that harsh political rhetoric may lead to other shootings in the future.

"But while a large majority predict that tragedy in Tucson will lead to more civility in political debates, only one in ten think that change will be permanent," adds Holland. "Seven in ten say politicians will tone it down in the short run but the change won't last very long, and 18 percent think there will be no change at all."

Seven out of ten blame the resources available to deal with people who may be mentally ill as a contributing factor to the shooting.

---