CBS Poll Shows Americans Are Blaming Political Rhetoric for Gabrielle Giffords Shooting

A new CBS poll shows Americans aren't buying into the political slant that is blaming political vitriol and not Jared Loughner for the Arizona Safeway shootings that injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

According to the poll,"57 percent of respondents said the harsh political tone had nothing to do with the shooting, compared to 32 percent who felt it did."

Rejection of a link was strongest among Republicans, 69 percent of whom felt harsh rhetoric was not related to the attack, while 19 percent thought it played a part.

Among Democrats 49 percent placed no blame on the heated political tone against 42 percent who did. Among independents the split was 56 percent to 33 percent, CBS said.

It said its poll of 673 adults had a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.

In other words, Americans have figured out the worst vitriol is coming from the politicians, media, and pundits post shooting and the politically heated atmosphere had nothing to do with this sick man shooting up a Safeway store.