http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20001213/zo/defense_1.html

UTICA, N.Y. (Reuters/Zogby) - Many Americans say they are growing wary of a national missile defense system and would prefer a limited system that would abide by the now defunct Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, according to a recent Zogby/Reuters poll.

A survey of 1,002 adults nationwide showed that nearly half (47%) of the respondents prefer building a limited defense system rather than an expansive system of land, sea and space-based weapons, favored by 38% of those polled.

While 49% of respondents from the South favored an expansive defense system, 53% of Easterners, 48% of Westerners and 50% of those from the Central/Great Lakes region preferred a limited defense system.

Among Republican respondents, 51% agreed with an enlarged missile defense system compared with 32% of Democrats and 31% of independents.

Of those African-Americans polled, 46% said they thought an expansive missile defense system was needed, while 48% of whites, 51% of Hispanics and 85% Asians disagreed.

This poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.2%.

What we asked:

"Thinking of national defense, which course of action is best for America?

Statement A: Build an expansive missile defense system of land-, sea- and space-based weapons to protect Americans from the threat of a nuclear attack by a rogue nation.

Statement B: Build a limited defense system that would provide America with some level of protection, but would also abide by the now defunct Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty."