Herald Staff Report

 More than ever, a majority of Americans favor returning Elian Gonzalez to his
 father in Cuba, according to the latest in a series of national media polls.

 Fifty-nine percent of those who responded in an ABC News/Washington Post poll
 released this weekend said the boy should be returned to Cuba -- up from 55
 percent in February.

 The poll also showed a steady increase over polls in January, when 52 percent
 said he should be reunited with his father, and in December, when 46 percent
 favored return.

 While those who favor the boy staying here remained the same, the poll results
 reflected movement in the undecided category.

 In December, when the case had not gained as much national attention, 20
 percent of those polled had no opinion on whether the boy should stay in the
 United States. By last week, only 9 percent had no opinion.

 Fieldwork by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa., conducted the latest telephone
 survey for the news agencies Friday and Saturday, using a random national
 sample of 930 adults. The results have a 3.5-point error of margin.

 Political party affiliation had little effect on opinions, the poll found, with 64 percent
 of Independents, 60 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of Republicans favoring
 return. Thirty-five percent each of Republicans and Democrats said Elian should
 remain in the United States.

 The poll question was this: ``I have a question about Elian Gonzalez, the
 6-year-old Cuban boy whose mother drowned when their boat sank off Florida and
 whose father lives in Cuba. Do you think the boy should be returned to his father
 in Cuba, or remain with his relatives who want to keep him in the United States?''

                     Copyright 2000 Miami Herald