Oprah and Sarah
16 November 2009 2:35 pm by Taylor Marsh
updated below on interview
Palin and Oprah sit down later this afternoon. So, naturally, we’ve got dueling polls on Sarah Palin.
Still, just 18% of Republicans – and 26% of voters nationwide – see Palin as a divisive force within the GOP. A plurality believes Palin is representative of a new direction for the Republican Party. That view is held by 57% of Republicans and 41% of all voters. A plurality of Democrats aren’t sure what to think of Palin’s role within the opposing party.
As I have already written, Sarah Palin is now the GOP establishment, though they’re not taking it very well.
Today 43 percent of Americans express a favorable opinion of Palin overall, while 52 percent see her unfavorably. Favorability is the most basic measure of a public figure’s popularity; in politics, where majorities win, it’s trouble when it goes negative, as it’s been for Palin since October 2008. – Sarah Palin: Rogue for President?
Palin’s unfavorables are higher than Hillary’s were, that’s for sure, but Clinton had her troubles, which she clearly overcame. But Hillary had a huge gender gap that Palin doesn’t share. Men love Sarah, which wasn’t the case with Hillary, though that changed in the 2008 election.
Gallup comes up with some interesting numbers today. Republicans by a wide margin, 59%, believe Palin shares the same values as other “GOP voters.” But 20% are still undecided about her.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Republican voters say former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin shares the values of most GOP voters throughout the nation.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% of Republican voters disagree and think the 2008 vice presidential candidate does not share their values. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided.
One wonders when Liz Cheney will enter the political candidate fray one day. I can’t imagine she won’t.
But for now, it’s Sarah Palin. Who manages to drive most Democrats crazy.
You’d think the Republican establishment would at least appreciate that. After all, love her or hate her, who won’t be taping, watching, waiting for the YouTubes, of Oprah and Sarah?
And she’s even got the Aw Lordy, 2012 Is Not On My Radar obligatory talking points down pat.
When asked about her plans for 2012, Palin said that a presidential run in two years is “not on my radar screen right now. I am dealing with so many issues that are important to me,” she said. “What I am seeing every day is that you don’t need a title to be important.” – Politico
UPDATE: Some Twitter thoughts on Oprah and Sarah here, here, here, here, here, and here on 2012. Palin on abortion, when she found out she was pregnant with Trig. Palin “understands” how women might feel. Are you hearing her now, independents? Oh, and they’re really not into the drama.
