According to the results of a Fox News opinion poll released yesterday, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s national approval rating is now 49 percent, an improvement of four points since early November. The results contradict claims made by Democrats and some in the media that Gov. Palin would fade from the national scene after the election.
The approval rating for Gov. Palin was at its highest, at 54 percent, in early September, just after she delivered her acceptance speech to the Republican National Convention. The number slipped to 45% after two months of hard campaigning in which the governor, in the traditional role of a vice presidential candidate, frequently attacked the candidates on the opposing ticket. But now her spproval rating appears to be on the upswing.
Among Republicans, the Alaska governor’s approval rating is an overwhelming 85 percent, eclipsing Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s approval rating among Democrats by 10 percent. Among independents, a segment of the population the media has often portrayed as being completely turned off by Palin, she nevertheless has an approval rating of 46 percent.
A majority of those polled agree with Gov. Palin’s criticism of her treatment at the hands of the media during and after the 2008 campaign. When asked the question “Do you think Sarah Palin has been treated fairly or unfairly by the press?”, 58 percent said she was treated unfairly. Only 35 percent responded that she had received fair treatment. Among Republicans the margin was 85-12, among independents 58-36. Even 41 percent of Democrats agreed that press treatment of Gov. Palin had been unfair. These results appear to contradict the claims made by some columnists that the governor’s recent criticism of the media for its treatment of her and her family was “not credible” and that she “overplayed her hand“.
Opinion Dynamics Corp. conducted the national telephone poll of a sample of 900 registered voters for FOX News from January 13 to January 14. The poll has a 3-point margin of error.
- JP
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Rah, Rah
Joe_Schmo (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 11:28AM EST (link)Sis, boom, bah…
Media did not kill her
Princeliberty Friday, January 16th at 11:43AM EST (link)The media tried to and failed ot kill Palin. Her personal favorables will continue to rise.
I bet a lot more those say they are positive towards are firm in it than those in the negative.
Those up the air should easily come over. Only hard core group of hard left will always hate her and their are many more Christians and other social conservatives who love her no matter what than those haters.
Whether she can lead the party back into the white house depends on her ability to set forth the new vision for the country.
They remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure that no one else is doing it.
None of the other famous names like Jeb Bush, Huckabee, Romney, Crist can
lay out that vision.
So its either Palin or a brand new face . But a brand new face probably can’t run for President in 2012.
Princeliberty
Vast Potential in 2012
jonathanswift (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 12:53PM EST (link)The only limitation is the Alaskan economy which is dependent on oil and gas for tax revenues. If she handles this better than Pre. Obama handles the national economy ….
Media did not kill her
Princeliberty Friday, January 16th at 11:43AM EST (link)The media tried to and failed ot kill Palin. Her personal favorables will continue to rise.
I bet a lot more those say they are positive towards are firm in it than those in the negative.
Those up the air should easily come over. Only hard core group of hard left will always hate her and their are many more Christians and other social conservatives who love her no matter what than those haters.
Whether she can lead the party back into the white house depends on her ability to set forth the new vision for the country.
They remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure that no one else is doing it.
None of the other famous names like Jeb Bush, Huckabee, Romney, Crist can
lay out that vision.
So its either Palin or a brand new face . But a brand new face probably can’t run for President in 2012.
Princeliberty
They ain't gonna stop either...
stazec Friday, January 16th at 6:35PM EST (link)Sorry about the poor English, but it’s true. They will try and try to take her out every time she pops up into the light. Obama can’t stand her, just ask those that worked for him during the election. The media will try to do his dirty work, but they’ll continue to fail. They can’t kill her, she won’t let them.
The more people see of her, the more
Tbone (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 11:51AM EST (link)they will realize what a whack job the media does to her. The 35% is the hard core, democrat liberal tumor that is on the ass of the Country.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
A 4 Point Bounce is Nice
Joe Cor (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 11:59AM EST (link)But isn’t that to be expected becuase the media isn’t focusing right now on how she’s Lucifer? It would be more interesting to see how her popularity holds up it the media starts an all-out offensive on her once again. Then we can see if she’s developed the tools to cope with and fight back against the media attacks.
The media isn't focused on trashing her?
Josh Painter (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 12:54PM EST (link)A day does not go by that some columnist, tv talking head or a reporter isn’t attacking Gov. Palin. IMO, the media focus on her as Lucifer has not abated at all. If anything, it’s increasing. With GWB leaving the White House, the drive-bys and the hate wing of the Democrat Party have turned all of their guns on her.
- JP
“An armed society is a polite society” – Robert A. Heinlein, “Beyond This Horizon” (1942)
Here's an example . . . from yesterday
Steve W (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 1:17PM EST (link)During a report on Thursday’s Today show, NBC News correspondent Norah O’Donnell replayed Barbara Walters’ characterization of Sarah Palin’s recent interview as “disturbing” from Tuesday’s The View. O’Donnell highlighted how the Alaska governor’s comments about how the media treated her versus how it treated Caroline Kennedy “drew a reaction” from the ABC host, and that it was “one more sign that as Palin tries to quiet her critics, she is sparking another loud debate.”
The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.
- Ronald Reagan
The arrogance of the critics
mobius2702 (Diary) Saturday, January 17th at 10:37AM EST (link)The media just assumes that Palin is attempting to “quiet her critics”.
Is this the case, or is this a loud debate that Palin wants to have?
Regardless of what one thinks about her depth of knowledge or policy stances, is she the right politician to throw down with the media? The Right has needed someone to take up this mantle, even if it means she will never run for public office again. Rush and the rest of the conservative commentators can be marginalized by some as entertainers, doing whatever it takes to make a buck. (Note: I personally don’t think this, but I hear it, )
But anyways, after 8 years of politicians rarely standing up to the misrepresentation of facts by journalists and op-ed columnists, I heartily support a politician who won’t roll over for the media.
Sarah
rick554 Friday, January 16th at 12:18PM EST (link)While I have almost zero respect for the MSM and its hacks, including ever -farther-left-leaning FOX, my opinion of Sarah hasn’t changed one iota since she had to run with MAV. And GOV Sarah Palin has continued to impress me. By 2012, the MSM (and the left) will be fully exposed as the flacks they really are and will be discredited. Some of us are watching Sarah real close and we, and she, will be ready for 2012. ANYONE that wigs out the “media” and its cronies as well as she does is my kinda “conservative”!
PALIN/2012!
Rick554
Palin has a great opportunity that the media cannot destroy-but much is up to her
red_oakster (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 12:27PM EST (link)Palin can’t be kept down by the media any more than Reagan or Bush or Thatcher could.
Her weakness in 2008 (such as it was) was a knowledge gap. Some dedicated reading in history and constitutional issues, and she will be off to the races. This will require some real work. If she does it, she’ll have no problem; because when she’s asked about the details of different policies, she will be prepared. Then the media’s image of her as a lightweight will melt away. Once Reagan and Bush 43 established their credibility during an election campaign, the media lost their capacity to inflict mortal harm. And you don’t need to go to Harvard to be educated. Harry Truman read voraciously and had the intellectual capital he needed when history called.
But here’s the caveat. Palin has the luxury of four years in a remote place to inform herself, unbothered by the 24/7 media fishbowl. If she turns out to be lazy and unwilling to crack the books and squanders this opportunity, she will get eaten alive in the primaries, and deservedly so.
old baggage
Princeliberty Friday, January 16th at 12:37PM EST (link)Her biggest weakness was having to carry a tired old cheap politician on her back while running for VP.
She will do much better without Mcbaggage.
Princeliberty
No, her biggest (potential) weakness
red_oakster (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 12:52PM EST (link)would be failing to use the time at her disposal to get completely up to speed. Such a failure would almost be a disqualification in itself.
up to speed
Princeliberty Friday, January 16th at 1:02PM EST (link)Most of the candidates are not really that up to speed.
Most of them just take polls and speak party lines.
So again Palin needs to put forth the conservative vision to restore the Republican to its roots and back to the white house.
If she just follows the current party talking points that will be failure.
And that’s what the whole 2008 gang of major Republican primary candidates
did. THEY were unprepared.
Look at McCain and the bailout – he made Obama look good by being so clueless.
Princeliberty
She can't do that . . .
Steve W (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 1:23PM EST (link)She has to know bone deep what Conservativism is – and how to explain it well (and simply).
She needs to exude confidence – not only in herself – but in her knowledge, and on any issue that will be thrown at her.
She needs practice at smoothly delivering her responses in a persuasive way. The media will not allow her to ramp up. By the time the next campaign comes around they will crucify her if she is not prepared as Red has suggested above.
The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.
- Ronald Reagan
"Let not your heart be troubled..."
conservativemusician Friday, January 16th at 2:07PM EST (link)Palin is Reagan in a skirt…no doubt about it. She has already demonstrated great skill in connecting with people and articulating the conservative vision. This is why the conservative base is so jazzed…and why the libs are trembling with fear. I agree with the comment upthread that her biggest obstacle was having to carry water for McCain. She won’t have to worry about that in 2012…thank God.
right you are, steve w
red_oakster (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 3:59PM EST (link)Palin has everything she needs to succeed, including some time to get get fully fluent with conservative principles and policies. That will take a little work, but if she does it, she’ll fly.
But if she does a four year long “senior slide”, her primary opponents will blast her. Anyone who thinks a Jindal or Sanford or Romney would miss the opportunity if she left herself vulnerable is kidding himself. And anyone who thinks that Palin could go up against these kinds of opponents today when it comes to historical knowledge and not get clobbered on the policy front also is kidding himself. She has an excellent chance of winning the nomination, but she must be able to speak with knowledge on history and the constitution.
Every candidate has some kind of weakness and that’s hers. Her amazing good fortune is a little hard work can overcome that weakness (as opposed to a Romney, who cannot as easily shake his flipperiness or a Huckabee, whose populism and wobbliness on foreign policy cannot be easily expunged).
Will Palin be diligent or lazy? That, dear friends, is the question.
I said in another thread that Sarah and Joe will be...
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 12:29PM EST (link)even more respected and valued for being REAL Americans and not the idiot savants that the MSM keeps telling us are real Americans……that the media attempted to destroy them and that 80+ percent of the public believes the media is biased lends to the public the ability to realize that both of them are worth another look!
Unified Patriots – How-To:
Activists Taking Action
Dreams
Magic2171 Friday, January 16th at 12:40PM EST (link)The loss of popularity and support is a dream that the media has had since the nomination. The can not deny her appeal, and their lies are obvious. They can not deal with her fairly so they think that with time and continuous attacks they will diminish her. They did the same think in revirse for the “One” repeatedly saying what a genius he was starting with the nomination speech. They did not do him any favors, because he is not ready for this. He will be Hillary’s, and Nancy and Harrys puppet and his reputation even with their PR effort will be deminished.
On the opposite side of the coin
Steve W (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 1:27PM EST (link)President Bush faced their continual ire, and by not responding to it, I believe that he allowed 70% of the people to believe the vitriol that they preached – and ultimately they were a main ingredient in his crucifixion.
So, to you, their lies may be obvious – to the uninformed (read that the majority of Americans) it is not quite so obvious – and continuous attacks, not properly responded to – WILL diminish her.
The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.
- Ronald Reagan
Palin IS responding to the media attacks...
conservativemusician Friday, January 16th at 2:01PM EST (link)And it serves notice that she is not going to take it lying down. It also keeps her in the public eye, which I’m sure is driving the left absolutely crazy because her numbers are going up again. I’m pretty sure she would not handle ongoing negative attacks on her the way Bush did and beoome a shrinking violet by not responding at all. Her feistiness and candor is a great part of her appeal to me. I have no doubt that she will be around and very prominent in 2012 in spite of the continual attacks…and the whacko left should be worried about this.
January 20th, 2013 . . .
BlueStateSaint Friday, January 16th at 1:07PM EST (link)Will be a historic day, with the inauguration of the first female President. Gov. Sarah Palin will take the Oath of Office of the Presidency of the United States that day. Some liberal pundits from “across the pond” have said as much.
Josh P- I'm sure you will cover this
Scope (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 4:17PM EST (link)Sarah Palin will be Glenn Beck’s first guest on his new show on Fox TV this coming monday.
IMHO, Gov Palin
RetiredFF Friday, January 16th at 6:10PM EST (link)is the only real Republican that is still holding office as an elected Republican. I have serious doubts about the rest!!! …with that being said, this is why the media treats her are such.
God bless Gov. Palin!!
What she can do now is to take clear positions...
GB221 (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 6:25PM EST (link)…which are clearly opposite to those of Obama and the congress. An example is energy. If she pushes for drilling, for natural gas (and nuclear) she will have an obvious difference with the current administration. In 2012 Obama’s energy policies will very likely be seen as very unsuccessful, so she will have a good message to campaign on.
Similarly for other issues. What she should avoid is to have positions that are just nuances of what Obama does. The differences must be clear and clearly understandable by the people, the sooner the better. She can start now to position herself on the issues which are likely not to be solved by Obama.
She does not need to wait until she is ‘knowledgeable’ as the conservative intellectuals want her to be. Politics is not Quantum Electrodynamics. She does not need to study for a PhD in International Relations to understand , e.g., that by continuing the current diplomatic method Iran will have nuclear weapons before or near 2012, etc. Clear principles and common sense are more important (in Politics and Economics) than all the technical expertise in the world. Remember Thatcher’s “Economy is too important to be left to economists”. The principle applies to Politics too.
The best way to learn is by doing...
6eorge Jetson (Diary) Friday, January 16th at 6:34PM EST (link)and she can pick and choose her spots–one issue at a time. Plus I suspect another benefit will be that the Palin-bashing should be well worn and have lost its legs by 2012.
Sarah is playing things just right
jazzycmk (Diary) Saturday, January 17th at 10:58AM EST (link)She needs to continue to concentrate on her job in Alaska, as the state will face its share of issues with the plummeting price of oil. Otherwise, critics will accuse her of posturing for a national run while ignoring her current duties (granted that was what Obama did beginning in 2006 as a senator for Illinois, but we all know about that double standard).
But being governor of Alaska shouldn’t preclude her from making the occasional appearance or doing the occasional interview to maintain a national presence. And now that she has been unshackled from McCain’s handlers, she is clearly showing she’s not shy about expressing her views.
The media will do what it does. However, I think the greater portion of the US is fair-minded enough to wonder why the MSM will continue to go after this woman with the election done and settled.
Looking forward to her interview with Glenn Beck.
jcmk
“90% of people don’t care about your problems…..and the other 10% are glad you have them” – former football coach Lou Holtz