Poll: Feeding won't improve Schiavo's condition
 |  "I'm begging you ... don't let my daughter die of thirst," said Mary Schindler, Terri Schiavo's mom. |
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|  VIDEO |
 A federal appeals panel declines to order Terri Schiavo's feeding tube reinserted.
 A defense attorney explains the federal appeal in the case.
 A judge rules against restoring Terri Schiavo's feeding tube.
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(CNN) -- A poll indicates that more than half of Americans believe Terri Schiavo's condition will not significantly improve if her feeding tube is reinserted, but they are "very sympathetic" toward her parents, who are fighting in the courts to keep her alive.
While 54 percent of respondents felt Schiavo's condition would not significantly improve if her feeding were resumed, 29 percent felt there was a slight chance and 13 percent a good chance of improvement, according to the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.
Politicians, including President Bush, who have launched an unprecedented effort on Schiavo's behalf didn't fare too well in the poll.
More than half of the 620 adults surveyed (52 percent) disagreed with the way Bush has intervened to support the parents, Mary and Bob Schindler. About 45 percent disapproved of congressional efforts on their behalf. The poll had a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percent.
Early Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta denied the latest appeal by Mary and Bob Schindler to keep their daughter, Schiavo, alive by ordering the feeding tube reinserted.
The Schindlers wanted the court to overrule the decision early Tuesday by U.S. District Judge James Whittemore in Tampa, Florida, not to grant a temporary restraining order that would allow reinstatement of Terri's feeding tube, which was removed Friday.
That court review and decision came as a result of a congressional bill passed over the weekend that was signed by Bush.
Schiavo's husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, has been locked in legal battles with the Schindlers since 1998, eight years after his wife suffered heart failure that led to severe brain damage. He contends his wife never would have wanted to be kept alive in her condition.
Fifty-five percent of the 620 adults polled were "very sympathetic" toward her parents, 31 percent somewhat sympathetic and 10 percent unsympathetic.
However, despite sympathy for the family, 52 percent of those surveyed sided with Judge Whittemore's decision; 39 percent disagreed.
A solid majority, 64 percent, said they believe Michael Schiavo is telling the truth about his wife's wishes on medical care; 25 percent disagreed.
Thirty-seven percent of respondents were "very sympathetic" toward the husband, 32 percent were somewhat sympathetic and 27 percent were unsympathetic.
Other results from the survey are:
47 percent of respondents disagree with the way congressional Republicans have handled the case; 26 percent approve and 27 percent are unsure.42 percent disagree with the way congressional Democrats have handled the case; 28 percent approve and 30 percent are unsure.52 percent disagree with the way Bush has dealt with the case; 31 percent approve and 17 percent are unsure.46 percent disapprove of the way the media has covered the case, 43 percent approve and 11 percent are unsure.CNN Polling Director Keating Holland contributed to this report.
Copyright 2005 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
