Sarah Palin just as popular as Barack Obama? Polls say you betcha
December 8, 2009 4:49 pm
Are Americans who want to throw rotten tomatoes at Sarah Palin slowly becoming the minority, while the number of people who want to throw them at President Obama is noticeably increasing?
A Top of the Ticket blog post today notes two recent surveys that show the former Alaska governor creeping up behind Obama in the polls. The president’s new Gallup Poll shows a new low for his job approval ratings -- 47% (down from 53% last month). The new CNN/Opinion Research Poll, on the other hand, says Palin is now at 46% favorable. She is so close she could reach out and place that tomato on Obama’s head herself.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Palin's Iowa Book Tour Visits Renews Talk of 2012 Presidential Run
Dec. 7, 2009
Palin Iowa Stop Renews 2012 Talk
Book Tour Sweeps Through Hawkeye State; Pundits Point Anew to Possible Presidential Run
CBS) Sarah Palin's book tour landed in Iowa over the weekend.
And, reports CBS News Correspondent Michelle Gielan, as the former running mate of GOP presidential candidate John McCain greeted hundreds of fans in Sioux City, power players in Washington were abuzz about whether the stop signals a Palin try for the Oval Office in 2012.
"The beauty for Sarah Palin is that a successful book tour can also be a successful launch of a presidential career,' CBS News political consultant John Dickerson said of the ex-Alaska governor.
Iowa isn't just any state. Its caucuses kick off the 2012 campaign season.
And buyers there of Palin's "Going Rogue" already sound a lot like potential voters.
"Yes, she has a chance," one told CBS News. "I think people are tired of the way things are run."
"I really think that she's a great symbol for the United States," said another.
Plain won over the conservative Iowa crowd after taking on a tougher audience Saturday -- Washington journalists gathered for their annual Gridiron Dinner.
In a joke-fueled speech, Palin said her book tour is better than her failed campaign with McCain, quipping, "The view is much better from inside the bus than under it."
McCain continues to insist he's proud of Palin, asserting on the NBC News program "Meet the Press" that, "We need vigorous discussion and debate in the Republican Party. She's gonna be a big part of that discussion and debate in the future."
© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Palin Iowa Stop Renews 2012 Talk
Book Tour Sweeps Through Hawkeye State; Pundits Point Anew to Possible Presidential Run
CBS) Sarah Palin's book tour landed in Iowa over the weekend.
And, reports CBS News Correspondent Michelle Gielan, as the former running mate of GOP presidential candidate John McCain greeted hundreds of fans in Sioux City, power players in Washington were abuzz about whether the stop signals a Palin try for the Oval Office in 2012.
"The beauty for Sarah Palin is that a successful book tour can also be a successful launch of a presidential career,' CBS News political consultant John Dickerson said of the ex-Alaska governor.
Iowa isn't just any state. Its caucuses kick off the 2012 campaign season.
And buyers there of Palin's "Going Rogue" already sound a lot like potential voters.
"Yes, she has a chance," one told CBS News. "I think people are tired of the way things are run."
"I really think that she's a great symbol for the United States," said another.
Plain won over the conservative Iowa crowd after taking on a tougher audience Saturday -- Washington journalists gathered for their annual Gridiron Dinner.
In a joke-fueled speech, Palin said her book tour is better than her failed campaign with McCain, quipping, "The view is much better from inside the bus than under it."
McCain continues to insist he's proud of Palin, asserting on the NBC News program "Meet the Press" that, "We need vigorous discussion and debate in the Republican Party. She's gonna be a big part of that discussion and debate in the future."
© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SARAH PALIN CONFRONTS OFFICIAL WASHINGTON IN THE COMEDY "GRIDIRON CLUB" Dinner
Sarah Palin: What she said at Gridiron dinner
Sarah Palin served up 11-1/2 minutes of gentle gibes aimed at Democrats, the media, the McCain campaign, and herself during an appearance at Saturday evening’s Gridiron 12 dinner in Washington.
Ms. Palin’s powerful impact as a cultural figure and potential future presidential candidate was much in evidence at the black tie event. The club’s winter dinner is usually a low key, off-the-record affair. This year’s dinner, featuring Palin and liberal Rep. Barney Frank (D) of Massachusetts as speakers, drew 190 journalists and spouses, an increase of 17.3 percent from the number who attended last year. The Gridiron Club’s members are veteran reporters and bureau chiefs.
In a nod to the intense media interest in Palin, the Gridiron Club’s board dropped a 100 year old rule – often violated – that comments made at the dinner were off the record and could not be reported. Instead, twittering was allowed, although not during speeches or songs. Palin tweets herself and noted in her dinner remarks that she had “the Twitter thing going.”
Palin was surrounded by reporters at the pre-dinner reception held on an evening when Washington was in the midst of an early snow storm. The former Alaska governor was dressed in a stylish black dress and carried what she told Chicago Sun Times correspondent Lynn Sweet was a purse made from an otter.
The appearance was a family affair. Todd Palin sat at the head table, and during her talk Palin called out to her parents who stood at the back of the ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel and waved to the crowd. Palin quipped that her mom and dad “crashed the party.”
On the political front, Palin said that “if the election had turned out differently, I could be the one overseeing the signing of bailout checks and Vice President Biden could be on the road selling his book “Going Rogaine.” Biden is known for many things but not a full head of hair.
While Palin was not specific about her political plans, she noted that on Sunday she would be at a book store in Iowa, which is an influential proving ground for presidential candidates. “Come early, long lines are expected,” she said.
Tweaking the media
Much of Palin’s gentle political humor was aimed at the media.
“Sometimes you’ve got to trust your instincts, and when you don’t you end up in a place like this,” she said. Palin also tweaked journalists for buying books and turning immediately to the index to see if they are mentioned. Her book does not have an index but she made up index entries during her speech including: “A. Alaska, media not understanding it, page 1 to 432.”
One other comment about the media: “It is good to be here though, really, in front of this audience of leading journalists and intellectuals or, as I like to call it, a death panel,” she said.
Palin’s book notes the sometimes troubled relationship she had with McCain campaign staffers. Talking about her bus tour for her book, “Going Rogue,” she said, “the view is so much better inside the bus than under the bus.”
In a reference to the rocky relations she had with Steve Schmidt, McCain’s bald campaign manager, Palin said that if she needed a bald campaign manager, “all that I am left with is James Carville.” Carville is a Democratic strategist.
Poking fun at herself
The ritual at these dinners calls for self-deprecatory humor and Palin obliged. Being at the dinner meant “at least now I can put a face to the newspapers I do read,” she said, referencing her lack of response to Katie Couric’s question about what newspapers or magazines she liked to read. Palin also noted that she was “feeling right at home” since she could come down from her room and “could see the Russian embassy” – poking fun at her “you can actually see Russia” from Alaska campaign comment.
And the former Alaska Governor recounted being on a flight and reading a magazine with President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao on the cover. Another passenger said “Hu’s the Communist.” Palin said, “I thought he was asking a question.”
The evening ended with what members sarcastically refer to as “the mighty Gridiron chorus” singing a humorous rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas. There, standing with the journalists and vocalists from the United States Marine Band, was a smiling Sarah Palin. The song recounted gifts given by Rush Limbaugh.
“On the twelfth day of Christmas, Rush Limbaugh gave to me: 12 flaming liberals, hunted down in the wild and field dressed, medium well-done, seared on the fatty edges.” At which point Palin chimed in, “right next to the mashed potatoes.”
Correction: An earlier version of this blog entry contained an incorrect attendance figure for the Gridiron dinner and overstated the percentage by which attendance increased.
Sarah Palin served up 11-1/2 minutes of gentle gibes aimed at Democrats, the media, the McCain campaign, and herself during an appearance at Saturday evening’s Gridiron 12 dinner in Washington.
Ms. Palin’s powerful impact as a cultural figure and potential future presidential candidate was much in evidence at the black tie event. The club’s winter dinner is usually a low key, off-the-record affair. This year’s dinner, featuring Palin and liberal Rep. Barney Frank (D) of Massachusetts as speakers, drew 190 journalists and spouses, an increase of 17.3 percent from the number who attended last year. The Gridiron Club’s members are veteran reporters and bureau chiefs.
In a nod to the intense media interest in Palin, the Gridiron Club’s board dropped a 100 year old rule – often violated – that comments made at the dinner were off the record and could not be reported. Instead, twittering was allowed, although not during speeches or songs. Palin tweets herself and noted in her dinner remarks that she had “the Twitter thing going.”
Palin was surrounded by reporters at the pre-dinner reception held on an evening when Washington was in the midst of an early snow storm. The former Alaska governor was dressed in a stylish black dress and carried what she told Chicago Sun Times correspondent Lynn Sweet was a purse made from an otter.
The appearance was a family affair. Todd Palin sat at the head table, and during her talk Palin called out to her parents who stood at the back of the ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel and waved to the crowd. Palin quipped that her mom and dad “crashed the party.”
On the political front, Palin said that “if the election had turned out differently, I could be the one overseeing the signing of bailout checks and Vice President Biden could be on the road selling his book “Going Rogaine.” Biden is known for many things but not a full head of hair.
While Palin was not specific about her political plans, she noted that on Sunday she would be at a book store in Iowa, which is an influential proving ground for presidential candidates. “Come early, long lines are expected,” she said.
Tweaking the media
Much of Palin’s gentle political humor was aimed at the media.
“Sometimes you’ve got to trust your instincts, and when you don’t you end up in a place like this,” she said. Palin also tweaked journalists for buying books and turning immediately to the index to see if they are mentioned. Her book does not have an index but she made up index entries during her speech including: “A. Alaska, media not understanding it, page 1 to 432.”
One other comment about the media: “It is good to be here though, really, in front of this audience of leading journalists and intellectuals or, as I like to call it, a death panel,” she said.
Palin’s book notes the sometimes troubled relationship she had with McCain campaign staffers. Talking about her bus tour for her book, “Going Rogue,” she said, “the view is so much better inside the bus than under the bus.”
In a reference to the rocky relations she had with Steve Schmidt, McCain’s bald campaign manager, Palin said that if she needed a bald campaign manager, “all that I am left with is James Carville.” Carville is a Democratic strategist.
Poking fun at herself
The ritual at these dinners calls for self-deprecatory humor and Palin obliged. Being at the dinner meant “at least now I can put a face to the newspapers I do read,” she said, referencing her lack of response to Katie Couric’s question about what newspapers or magazines she liked to read. Palin also noted that she was “feeling right at home” since she could come down from her room and “could see the Russian embassy” – poking fun at her “you can actually see Russia” from Alaska campaign comment.
And the former Alaska Governor recounted being on a flight and reading a magazine with President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao on the cover. Another passenger said “Hu’s the Communist.” Palin said, “I thought he was asking a question.”
The evening ended with what members sarcastically refer to as “the mighty Gridiron chorus” singing a humorous rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas. There, standing with the journalists and vocalists from the United States Marine Band, was a smiling Sarah Palin. The song recounted gifts given by Rush Limbaugh.
“On the twelfth day of Christmas, Rush Limbaugh gave to me: 12 flaming liberals, hunted down in the wild and field dressed, medium well-done, seared on the fatty edges.” At which point Palin chimed in, “right next to the mashed potatoes.”
Correction: An earlier version of this blog entry contained an incorrect attendance figure for the Gridiron dinner and overstated the percentage by which attendance increased.
Man Arrested for Throwing Tomatoes at Sarah Palin
Updated December 07, 2009
Man Arrested for Throwing Tomatoes at Sarah Palin, Police Say
FOXNews.com
The incident happened during a book signing at the Mall of America in Minnesota.
A man was arrested for allegedly throwing two tomatoes at Sarah Palin from the second floor balcony during a book signing event at the Mall of America in Minnesota, MyFoxTwinCities.com. reported.
Neither tomato came close hitting the former 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, but did hit a police officer in the face, the station reported.
The unidentified man may face charges for assaulting a police officer, according to the station.
Die-hard supporters treated the event like another Black Friday, lining up outside in freezing weather before the mall doors opened at 5 a.m.
Emily Calhoon, a high school junior from Minnetonka, took the day off school with a group of fellow students and arrived at 4:45 a.m. Calhoon, 16, said she likes Palin's conservatism.
"She's a lot more relatable than the stereotypical old rich white male," said Calhoon as she waited in line, clutching a copy of Palin's memoir of her life and political career, "Going Rogue."
The former Alaska governor arrived just before noon. Wearing her trademark red, she took the stage joined by her husband Todd and carrying their son, Trig.
Palin did not address the crowd and did not take questions from the large contingent of reporters. She started signing books immediately.
Fans wanting a signed copy had to purchase it from Barnes & Noble, the event's sponsor. Most in line had two copies.
Barnes & Noble would not reveal the number of books it sold at its Mall of America store for the event.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Man Arrested for Throwing Tomatoes at Sarah Palin, Police Say
FOXNews.com
The incident happened during a book signing at the Mall of America in Minnesota.
A man was arrested for allegedly throwing two tomatoes at Sarah Palin from the second floor balcony during a book signing event at the Mall of America in Minnesota, MyFoxTwinCities.com. reported.
Neither tomato came close hitting the former 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, but did hit a police officer in the face, the station reported.
The unidentified man may face charges for assaulting a police officer, according to the station.
Die-hard supporters treated the event like another Black Friday, lining up outside in freezing weather before the mall doors opened at 5 a.m.
Emily Calhoon, a high school junior from Minnetonka, took the day off school with a group of fellow students and arrived at 4:45 a.m. Calhoon, 16, said she likes Palin's conservatism.
"She's a lot more relatable than the stereotypical old rich white male," said Calhoon as she waited in line, clutching a copy of Palin's memoir of her life and political career, "Going Rogue."
The former Alaska governor arrived just before noon. Wearing her trademark red, she took the stage joined by her husband Todd and carrying their son, Trig.
Palin did not address the crowd and did not take questions from the large contingent of reporters. She started signing books immediately.
Fans wanting a signed copy had to purchase it from Barnes & Noble, the event's sponsor. Most in line had two copies.
Barnes & Noble would not reveal the number of books it sold at its Mall of America store for the event.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sarah Palin rises in polls as Obama slips, new surveys show
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR: Sarah Palin rises in polls as Obama slips, new surveys show
President Obama’s job approval rating has hit a new low, even as Sarah Palin’s popularity appears to be on the rebound, new polls show.
The latest USA Today/Gallup Poll puts Mr. Obama’s job approval rating at 47 percent, a new low for his 10-month administration. His job approval ratings rose briefly after last week’s announcement of a new policy in Afghanistan but then fell back in Dec. 4-6 polling, Gallup said.
Gallup reported finding significant opposition both to Obama’s policies on healthcare reform and on Afghanistan.
Strong partisan feelings
The partisan split is deep and wide in Obama’s approval ratings. Fourteen percent of Republicans approve of Obama’s performance, versus 42 percent of independents and 83 percent of Democrats, Gallup found. Since November, when the president’s approval rating was 53 percent, his poll numbers have fallen three percentage points among Democrats, seven points among independents, and four points among Republicans, Gallup said.
As for Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate, 46 percent of Americans have a favorable view of her and 46 percent have an unfavorable view, according to a new poll by CNN/Opinion Research Corp. Those figures represent progress for Ms. Palin: When she resigned as Alaska’s governor in July, her favorability rating in CNN’s poll dropped to 39 percent.
The partisan divide in Palin’s favorability ratings is sharp. Among Republicans, 8 in 10 have a favorable view of Palin, who is now drawing large crowds as she tours the US selling her book “Going Rogue: An American Life.” But more than 7 in 10 Democrats hold negative views of Palin. Independents are evenly divided on her, CNN found.
Palin’s appeal to men
“John McCain put Palin on his ticket in 2008 to appeal to female voters, but it looks like men are a natural constituency for her,” CNN polling director Keating Holland said in a statement. According to the poll, 51 percent of men see Palin in a positive light, whereas a nearly equal number of women view her negatively.
According to Mr. Holland, “even within GOP circles, Republican men like Palin more than Republican women.”
The CNN poll was conducted Dec. 2-3 with 1,041 adult Americans contacted by phone. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The Gallup poll was conducted Dec. 4-6 with 1,529 adults and also has a 3-percentage-point margin of error.
President Obama’s job approval rating has hit a new low, even as Sarah Palin’s popularity appears to be on the rebound, new polls show.
The latest USA Today/Gallup Poll puts Mr. Obama’s job approval rating at 47 percent, a new low for his 10-month administration. His job approval ratings rose briefly after last week’s announcement of a new policy in Afghanistan but then fell back in Dec. 4-6 polling, Gallup said.
Gallup reported finding significant opposition both to Obama’s policies on healthcare reform and on Afghanistan.
Strong partisan feelings
The partisan split is deep and wide in Obama’s approval ratings. Fourteen percent of Republicans approve of Obama’s performance, versus 42 percent of independents and 83 percent of Democrats, Gallup found. Since November, when the president’s approval rating was 53 percent, his poll numbers have fallen three percentage points among Democrats, seven points among independents, and four points among Republicans, Gallup said.
As for Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate, 46 percent of Americans have a favorable view of her and 46 percent have an unfavorable view, according to a new poll by CNN/Opinion Research Corp. Those figures represent progress for Ms. Palin: When she resigned as Alaska’s governor in July, her favorability rating in CNN’s poll dropped to 39 percent.
The partisan divide in Palin’s favorability ratings is sharp. Among Republicans, 8 in 10 have a favorable view of Palin, who is now drawing large crowds as she tours the US selling her book “Going Rogue: An American Life.” But more than 7 in 10 Democrats hold negative views of Palin. Independents are evenly divided on her, CNN found.
Palin’s appeal to men
“John McCain put Palin on his ticket in 2008 to appeal to female voters, but it looks like men are a natural constituency for her,” CNN polling director Keating Holland said in a statement. According to the poll, 51 percent of men see Palin in a positive light, whereas a nearly equal number of women view her negatively.
According to Mr. Holland, “even within GOP circles, Republican men like Palin more than Republican women.”
The CNN poll was conducted Dec. 2-3 with 1,041 adult Americans contacted by phone. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The Gallup poll was conducted Dec. 4-6 with 1,529 adults and also has a 3-percentage-point margin of error.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Palin Publisher INCREASES Book to 2.8 MILLION Copies
Going Rogue nearly 3 million and counting
December 2, 10:25
They just keep coming! Publisher HarperCollins said Tuesday the Palin memoir has sold 1 million copies just two weeks after publication. The print run has now been increased to 2.8 million copies.
Palins fans have been camping out days in advance just to get a glimpse of Palin at her book signing events and to hopefully get an autographed copy of the highly publicized Going Rogue. Perhaps with all of the talk and criticism of the book, Americans want to make their own judgement on the rock star of the Republican candidates for 2012.
On Tuesday, hundreds of fans flocked to a Costco store in Tempe, many staying in line overnight in 45-degree weather, attempting to sleep in camping chairs and against a concrete wall.
Fred Solop, a political science professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, told the Associated Press that Palin events are attracting similar attention across the country.
‘‘It's not typical that appearances like this are sold out, that politicians have such acclaim, but she's clearly a superstar in some circles,'' he said. ‘‘She's someone who is clearly making a splash nationally and we should all be watching to see what's next.'
Palin, who carried her youngest child, Trig, on her hip, shook several people's hands and told them to ‘‘keep up the good fight'' before going inside to sign books in Tempe. Her parents, who have accompanied Palin to some of her signings, also gave fans autographs.
Wednesday, the million-copy book tour is headed to southwest Missouri where the former GOP vice presidential candidate is scheduled to sign copies of her book from 10 a.m. to noon at the Borders bookstore in Springfield.
KPLR 11 in St. Louis reports that store managers expect an overflow crowd and are limiting access to 1,000 patrons. Even those who get into the store aren't necessarily guaranteed an autograph.
Palin will speak Wednesday night at the College of the Ozarks near Branson, however, tickets are no longer available, and the speech is closed to the news media
December 2, 10:25
They just keep coming! Publisher HarperCollins said Tuesday the Palin memoir has sold 1 million copies just two weeks after publication. The print run has now been increased to 2.8 million copies.
Palins fans have been camping out days in advance just to get a glimpse of Palin at her book signing events and to hopefully get an autographed copy of the highly publicized Going Rogue. Perhaps with all of the talk and criticism of the book, Americans want to make their own judgement on the rock star of the Republican candidates for 2012.
On Tuesday, hundreds of fans flocked to a Costco store in Tempe, many staying in line overnight in 45-degree weather, attempting to sleep in camping chairs and against a concrete wall.
Fred Solop, a political science professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, told the Associated Press that Palin events are attracting similar attention across the country.
‘‘It's not typical that appearances like this are sold out, that politicians have such acclaim, but she's clearly a superstar in some circles,'' he said. ‘‘She's someone who is clearly making a splash nationally and we should all be watching to see what's next.'
Palin, who carried her youngest child, Trig, on her hip, shook several people's hands and told them to ‘‘keep up the good fight'' before going inside to sign books in Tempe. Her parents, who have accompanied Palin to some of her signings, also gave fans autographs.
Wednesday, the million-copy book tour is headed to southwest Missouri where the former GOP vice presidential candidate is scheduled to sign copies of her book from 10 a.m. to noon at the Borders bookstore in Springfield.
KPLR 11 in St. Louis reports that store managers expect an overflow crowd and are limiting access to 1,000 patrons. Even those who get into the store aren't necessarily guaranteed an autograph.
Palin will speak Wednesday night at the College of the Ozarks near Branson, however, tickets are no longer available, and the speech is closed to the news media
AP: Sarah Palin applauds Obama's Afghan troop increase
ASSOCIATED PRESS: Sarah Palin applauds Obama's Afghan troop increase
NEW YORK — Sarah Palin says she supports President Barack Obama's decision to boost the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
But she warns that his plan to send 30,000 additional troops may not be enough to achieve victory, and that talk of an exit date might encourage enemies to "wait us out" in the region.
Palin made the comments on her Facebook page hours after Obama delivered a speech Tuesday night on his new Afghanistan war plan.
The former GOP vice presidential nominee noted she had urged Obama to increase U.S. forces there three months ago. She said she was glad he had "mostly heeded" the advice.
NEW YORK — Sarah Palin says she supports President Barack Obama's decision to boost the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
But she warns that his plan to send 30,000 additional troops may not be enough to achieve victory, and that talk of an exit date might encourage enemies to "wait us out" in the region.
Palin made the comments on her Facebook page hours after Obama delivered a speech Tuesday night on his new Afghanistan war plan.
The former GOP vice presidential nominee noted she had urged Obama to increase U.S. forces there three months ago. She said she was glad he had "mostly heeded" the advice.
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