Believe it or Not: McCain Bests Obama in Ratings
05 September 2008 11:12 am by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
Palin
is the biggest political story in several general election cycles. Anyone
thinking she isn’t is dreaming. Anyone hoping to change the subject to Bush
is dreaming, too. Just look at the ratings, both in viewership
and approval:
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. …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%. …
We’ll see if “troopergate” gets any traction, though it’s important
to note that McCain is the one at the top of the ticket. Palin is helping his
image immensely in the short run. Additionally, his team has already put in
the water that Palin is being unfairly treated by the press because we want
to know her views on something beyond her abstinence-only dogma, on the horrific
possibility, God forbid, that she might have to assume the presidency.
Alaska blogs are getting much deserved traffic, especially when they have headlines
like Palin
Leaves Campaign Trail. Flees North. The ADN has “Palin’s stall,” charging she’s stonewalling the investigation.
The reality is that Alaska is a far flung state that rarely gets any scrutiny. Ted Stevens, someone Palin has supported, got away with a lot for a long time. It’s quite possible that Palin, knowing she could fly under the radar, used her power liberally, though I’m not suggesting wrong doing, simply because she could. Small states, power given to someone not being watched, who is suddenly thrown into the public spotlight, is a dangerous combination. No telling what’s buried under the Alaskan snow, but you can bet reporters are digging to find out.
