Copenhagen's political science
By Sarah PalinWednesday, December 9, 2009
With the publication of damaging e-mails from a climate research center in Britain, the radical environmental movement appears to face a tipping point. The revelation of appalling actions by so-called climate change experts allows the American public to finally understand the concerns so many of us have articulated on this issue.
Climate-gate," as the e-mails and other documents from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia have become known, exposes a highly politicized scientific circle -- the same circle whose work underlies efforts at the Copenhagen climate change conference. The agenda-driven policies being pushed in Copenhagen won't change the weather, but they would change our economy for the worse.
The e-mails reveal that leading climate "experts" deliberately destroyed records, manipulated data to "hide the decline" in global temperatures, and tried to silence their critics by preventing them from publishing in peer-reviewed journals. What's more, the documents show that there was no real consensus even within the CRU crowd. Some scientists had strong doubts about the accuracy of estimates of temperatures from centuries ago, estimates used to back claims that more recent temperatures are rising at an alarming rate.
This scandal obviously calls into question the proposals being pushed in Copenhagen. I've always believed that policy should be based on sound science, not politics. As governor of Alaska, I took a stand against politicized science when I sued the federal government over its decision to list the polar bear as an endangered species despite the fact that the polar bear population had more than doubled. I got clobbered for my actions by radical environmentalists nationwide, but I stood by my view that adding a healthy species to the endangered list under the guise of "climate change impacts" was an abuse of the Endangered Species Act. This would have irreversibly hurt both Alaska's economy and the nation's, while also reducing opportunities for responsible development.
Our representatives in Copenhagen should remember that good environmental policymaking is about weighing real-world costs and benefits -- not pursuing a political agenda. That's not to say I deny the reality of some changes in climate -- far from it. I saw the impact of changing weather patterns firsthand while serving as governor of our only Arctic state. I was one of the first governors to create a subcabinet to deal specifically with the issue and to recommend common-sense policies to respond to the coastal erosion, thawing permafrost and retreating sea ice that affect Alaska's communities and infrastructure.
But while we recognize the occurrence of these natural, cyclical environmental trends, we can't say with assurance that man's activities cause weather changes. We can say, however, that any potential benefits of proposed emissions reduction policies are far outweighed by their economic costs. And those costs are real. Unlike the proposals China and India offered prior to Copenhagen -- which actually allow them to increase their emissions -- President Obama's proposal calls for serious cuts in our own long-term carbon emissions. Meeting such targets would require Congress to pass its cap-and-tax plans, which will result in job losses and higher energy costs (as Obama admitted during the campaign). That's not exactly what most Americans are hoping for these days. And as public opposition continues to stall Congress's cap-and-tax legislation, Environmental Protection Agency bureaucrats plan to regulate carbon emissions themselves, doing an end run around the American people.
In fact, we're not the only nation whose people are questioning climate change schemes. In the European Union, energy prices skyrocketed after it began a cap-and-tax program. Meanwhile, Australia's Parliament recently defeated a cap-and-tax bill. Surely other nations will follow suit, particularly as the climate e-mail scandal continues to unfold.
In his inaugural address, President Obama declared his intention to "restore science to its rightful place." But instead of staying home from Copenhagen and sending a message that the United States will not be a party to fraudulent scientific practices, the president has upped the ante. He plans to fly in at the climax of the conference in hopes of sealing a "deal." Whatever deal he gets, it will be no deal for the American people. What Obama really hopes to bring home from Copenhagen is more pressure to pass the Democrats' cap-and-tax proposal. This is a political move. The last thing America needs is misguided legislation that will raise taxes and cost jobs -- particularly when the push for such legislation rests on agenda-driven science.
Without trustworthy science and with so much at stake, Americans should be wary about what comes out of this politicized conference. The president should boycott Copenhagen.
The writer was the 2008 Republican nominee for vice president and governor of Alaska from 2006 to 2009.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Poll Shocker: Palin Within 1% of Obama
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:57 PM
By: David A. Patten
Riding a wave of positive publicity from her book tour, Sarah Palin's favorable rating has crept within just 1 percent of President Barack Obama's job approval rating, according to the latest polls by CNN and USA Today/Gallup.
The results suggest Palin has fixed the dent in her popularity ratings created this summer when she announced she was stepping down as governor of Alaska.
According to a CNN poll released Monday, 46 percent of voters now say they like Palin. That's the same level of popularity she enjoyed before she resigned the Alaska governorship.
The same percentage of likely voters – 46 percent – say they don't like the former Alaska governor, a clear indication that she continues to be a polarizing figure. Not surprisingly, the breakdown is sharply along party lines: 80 percent of Republicans like Palin, while 70 percent of Democrats don't.
Pundits are attributing her rebound in the polls to a wave of popularity stemming from her new book, “Going Rogue.”
Although popularity polls and job approval polls differ, the results suggest that Palin is closing the gap on Obama.
On Monday, a USA Today/Gallup poll reported that only 47 percent of likely voters approve of the president's job performance.
Obama apparently has become as polarizing as Palin: Only 14 percent of GOP voters approve of the job Obama is doing in the White House. That compares to a job-approval rating of 83 percent for Obama among Democrats, the polls show.
The Los Angeles Times' Top of the Ticket blog commented Tuesday: "The very same polarization [seen with Palin] now holds true for Obama, the fresh fellow from the old Chicago Democratic machine who was supposed to bring hope and change to a nation tired of divisive politics and the harsh partisan tone of Washington."
One big worry for the president: Since November, his approval rating with independents has dropped 7 points, USA Today reports.
© 2009 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
By: David A. Patten
Riding a wave of positive publicity from her book tour, Sarah Palin's favorable rating has crept within just 1 percent of President Barack Obama's job approval rating, according to the latest polls by CNN and USA Today/Gallup.
The results suggest Palin has fixed the dent in her popularity ratings created this summer when she announced she was stepping down as governor of Alaska.
According to a CNN poll released Monday, 46 percent of voters now say they like Palin. That's the same level of popularity she enjoyed before she resigned the Alaska governorship.
The same percentage of likely voters – 46 percent – say they don't like the former Alaska governor, a clear indication that she continues to be a polarizing figure. Not surprisingly, the breakdown is sharply along party lines: 80 percent of Republicans like Palin, while 70 percent of Democrats don't.
Pundits are attributing her rebound in the polls to a wave of popularity stemming from her new book, “Going Rogue.”
Although popularity polls and job approval polls differ, the results suggest that Palin is closing the gap on Obama.
On Monday, a USA Today/Gallup poll reported that only 47 percent of likely voters approve of the president's job performance.
Obama apparently has become as polarizing as Palin: Only 14 percent of GOP voters approve of the job Obama is doing in the White House. That compares to a job-approval rating of 83 percent for Obama among Democrats, the polls show.
The Los Angeles Times' Top of the Ticket blog commented Tuesday: "The very same polarization [seen with Palin] now holds true for Obama, the fresh fellow from the old Chicago Democratic machine who was supposed to bring hope and change to a nation tired of divisive politics and the harsh partisan tone of Washington."
One big worry for the president: Since November, his approval rating with independents has dropped 7 points, USA Today reports.
© 2009 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
POLLS SHOW Sarah Palin just as popular as Barack Obama
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.
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.
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.
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