Latest Rasmussen: Sarah Palin more popular than Obama/McCain

[Joker85]

Friday, September 05, 2008
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A week ago, most Americans had never heard of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Now, following a Vice Presidential acceptance speech viewed live by more than 40 million people, Palin is viewed favorably by 58% of American voters. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% hold an unfavorable view of the self-described hockey mom.

The figures include 40% with a Very Favorable opinion of Palin and 18% with a Very Unfavorable view (full demographic crosstabs are available for Premium Members). Before her acceptance speech, Palin was viewed favorably by 52%. A week ago, 67% had never heard of her.

The new data also shows significant increases in the number who say McCain made the right choice and the number who say Palin is ready to be President. Generally, John McCain’s choice of Palin earns slightly better reviews than Barack Obama’s choice of Joe Biden.

Perhaps most stunning is the fact that Palin’s favorable ratings are now a point higher than either man at the top of the Presidential tickets this year. As of Friday morning, Obama and McCain are each viewed favorably by 57% of voters. Biden is viewed favorably by 48%.

There is a strong partisan gap when it comes to perceptions of Palin. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of Republicans give her favorable reviews along with 33% of Democrats and 59% of voters not affiliated with either major party.

She earns positive reviews from 65% of men and 52% of women. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows that Obama continues to lead McCain among women voters while McCain leads among men. The Friday morning update—the first to include interviews conducted after Palin’s speech--showed the beginning of a Republican convention bounce that may match Obama’s bounce from last week.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Americans believe that most reporters are trying to hurt Palin’s campaign, a fact that may enhance her own ratings.

The Palin pick has also improved perceptions of John McCain. A week ago, just before he introduced his running mate, just 42% of Republicans had a Very Favorable opinion of their party’s nominee. That figure jumped to 54% by this Friday morning. Among unaffiliated voters, favorable opinions of McCain have increased by eleven percentage points in a week—from 54% before the Palin announcement to 65% today.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of all voters now believe that McCain made the right choice when he picked Palin to be his running mate while 32% disagree. By way of comparison, on the night after Biden gave his acceptance speech, 47% said that Obama made the right choice.

Eighty-one percent (81%) of Republicans say that McCain made the right choice while just 69% of Democrats said the same about Obama.

Among unaffiliated voters, 52% said that McCain made the right choice for his running mate and 45% said the same about Obama.

Forty percent (40%) now say that Palin is ready to be President, if necessary. That’s up from 29% last week. Forty-nine percent (49%) say the same about Biden.

However, following the Wednesday night speech, voters are fairly evenly divided as to whether Palin or Obama has the better experience to be President. Forty-four percent (44%) of voters say Palin has the better experience while 48% say Obama has the edge. Among unaffiliated voters, 45% say Obama has better experience while 42% say Palin.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of voters say that Palin’s speech helped McCain’s chances of becoming President while only 10% believe it hurt those prospects.

While Palin’s numbers are stunning today, it remains to be seen how the Alaska Governor’s numbers will hold up through the next two months. She has made a tremendous first impression, but the country will get to know her a lot better between now and November.


http://www.rasmussenreports.com/publ...n_obama_mccain

Also crucial in the poll is that a majority of Americans believe the media is actively trying to damage Palin.

As I have been saying all along, the kneejerk, juvenile, desperate attacks of the left have backfired and done far more for McCain than had they kept their mouths shut.

And, 2/3rds of the interviews were done before her speech. Look for these numbers to only climb.

[Last Roman]

um, you sure?

I know its one day old, but meh. Though I suppose last night's speech helped...

Personally, I'm not too worried. It'll be a close race for sure, but I'm still willing to put my money on Obama.

edit: sorry, read the title wrong, dont mind this

[Shaun]

Doesn't she literally believe that the earth is 6000 years old? And how can someone who has a 17 year old daughter that's pregnant still believe in abstinence only sex education? Eugh. I hate Palin.

[Каие]

Doesn't she literally believe that the earth is 6000 years old?

Thats her.

[Gumpfendorfer]

Doesn't she literally believe that the earth is 6000 years old?

Oh, yes and now she wants to re- educate all children in this scientific theory.
Poor children. You might as well ask the Taliban in.
She and the Taliban have far more in common then you might think.

[DimeBagHo]

Oh, yes and now she wants to re- educate all children in this scientific theory.
Poor children. You might as well ask the Taliban in.
She and the Taliban have far more in common then you might think.

Anyone have a source for the "Earth is 6000 years old" stuff? Even among creationists that view is unusual. As for teaching creationism to kids she has said that creationism should not be part of the school curriculum, but that there should be no ban on discussing creationism if it comes up in class. Sounds like a reasonable view to me.

Here's what she said when she ran for governor:

In an interview Thursday, Palin said she meant only to say that discussion of alternative views should be allowed to arise in Alaska classrooms:

“I don’t think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn’t have to be part of the curriculum.”

She added that, if elected, she would not push the state Board of Education to add such creation-based alternatives to the state’s required curriculum.

Members of the state school board, which sets minimum requirements, are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature.

“I won’t have religion as a litmus test, or anybody’s personal opinion on evolution or creationism,” Palin said.

*edit* It's also worth adding that two years later she has done nothing to push creationism in Alaskan schools.

[Last Roman]

anyhoo, about Palin. Initially, I liked her (cleaning up house, etc) but after reading more into her, I saw same ol' same ol' ultra-conservative religious nutjob.

This country hardly needs more of those in power.

[Panzerbear]

but after reading more into her, I saw same ol' same ol' ultra-conservative religious nutjob.

This country hardly needs more of those in power.

oh well, sorry to burst your bubble, but these old ultra-conservative religious nutjobs seem to be the majority in US. dont pretend you dont understand what this country was built on .

[Bleda]

oh well, sorry to burst your bubble, but these old ultra-conservative religious nutjobs seem to be the majority in US. dont pretend you dont understand what this country was built on .

and Russia was founded on the mass graves of dissenters and those who thought for themselves

[Lysander13]

"Before her acceptance speech, Palin was viewed favorably by 52%. A week ago, 67% had never heard of her."

Hehe... That's funny.

"Perhaps most stunning is the fact that Palin's favorable ratings are now a point higher than either man at the top of the Presidential tickets this year."

Interesting. This despite the fact that 67% had never even heard of her til last week.

"Forty percent now say that Palin is ready to be President, if necessary. That's up from 21% last week"

That is truly disturbing.

It occurs to me, some of the information in this Presidential Tracking Poll, could be reclassified by some as a case study in the general stupidity of the American Electorate.

[Viking Prince]

"Before her acceptance speech, Palin was viewed favorably by 52%. A week ago, 67% had never heard of her."

Hehe... That's funny.

"Perhaps most stunning is the fact that Palin's favorable ratings are now a point higher than either man at the top of the Presidential tickets this year."

Interesting. This despite the fact that 67% had never even heard of her til last week.

"Forty percent now say that Palin is ready to be President, if necessary. That's up from 21% last week"

That is truly disturbing.

It occurs to me, some of the information in this Presidential Tracking Poll, could be reclassified by some as a case study in the general stupidity of the American Electorate.

So this means what about polling -- esp. national polling by telephone?

Precisely nothing. Too great of an error margin on a biased sample with biased questions. And then we debate who's up and by how much and what has changed from one day ago. Might as well count popularity votes on "American Idol".

[Last Roman]

oh well, sorry to burst your bubble, but these old ultra-conservative religious nutjobs seem to be the majority in US. dont pretend you dont understand what this country was built on .

no. this country might be more conservative and religious than mainstream Europe, but that hardly makes it full of ultra-conservative religious zealots. This country was not built on that. This country was supposed to be built and governed on a middle answer, not extremes.

[Holger Danske]

no. this country might be more conservative and religious than mainstream Europe, but that hardly makes it full of ultra-conservative religious zealots. This country was not built on that. This country was supposed to be built and governed on a middle answer, not extremes.

And that is EXCATLY why the US needs Obama and not MaCain

[Viking Prince]

There is a great deal about the popularity of Sen. Obama and Gov. Palin that reminds me of a "first date" to the high school prom. Excitment to be simply going -- not really knowing the person, but who cares he/she is great looking and popular and I am going to the prom!!!!

Will this same excitment carry all the way to the election? Nope. Each candidate needs to bring more to their tickets than the mere excitment of being. Fortunately Gov. Palin is only the VP. The risks are greater for Sen. Obama.

[Sphere]

She was Miss Alaska.

[Medicus]

I don't want to get into the debate, but I will say this: it's fairly obvious why McCain chose Palin as his running mate.

1. She's a woman.

Come on. Anyone with an ounce of sense can see the wheels turning in ol' John's head. He's hoping he'll get the female vote, and he's hoping he'll get the "idealistic" vote - "ooh, America's first female VP!"

Well, except for Geena Davis.

[danzig]

I don't want to get into the debate, but I will say this: it's fairly obvious why McCain chose Palin as his running mate.

1. She's a woman.

Come on. Anyone with an ounce of sense can see the wheels turning in ol' John's head. He's hoping he'll get the female vote, and he's hoping he'll get the "idealistic" vote - "ooh, America's first female VP!"

Well, except for Geena Davis.

That is obviously part of the reason but it isnt the only reason otherwise he would have picked one of the many female republicans with far more name value.

You lucky. If McCain gets elected i want out.

Promise that you will and wont return for duration of his presidency and Ill donate 50 bucks towards a plane ticket for you to leave....nothing disgust me more then people going im going to leave if <insert name> gets elected.

[bushbush]

this thing is an insult to Americans' intelligence.

just how many americans know Sarah Paulin 2 weeks ago? now that foul-mouthed woman is more popular than obama AND McCain?

[Erik]

this thing is an insult to Americans' intelligence.

just how many americans know Sarah Paulin 2 weeks ago? now that foul-mouthed woman is more popular than obama AND McCain?

Makes sense.
If you don't know someone, you usually start off with a positive attitude.

It would be far worst if Americans disliked her before giving her a chance.

PS: "Hockey mom"? - is that the right-wing equivalent of soccer mom?

[Last Roman]

PS: "Hockey mom"? - is that the right-wing equivalent of soccer mom?

nah, just the northern version.

And that is EXCATLY why the US needs Obama and not MaCain

wont find me disagreeing with that statement