Rasmussen: 40% of likely GOP voters say Palin hurt her chances
posted at 11:07 am on July 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Rasmussen became the first major pollster to publish a national survey on the impact of Sarah Palin’s resignation on her standing with Republican voters. The news is not encouraging. A plurality of likely GOP voters in 2012 (40%) say that Palin hurt her standing as a candidate. On the positive side, 52% say it either helped or had no impact, and GOP voters still have great affection for Palin:
Forty percent (40%) of Republican voters nationwide say Sarah Palin’s decision to resign as governor of Alaska hurts her chances of winning the party’s presidential nomination in 2012.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of GOP voters finds that (24%) believe Palin’s resignation helps her chances of winning the Republican nomination, while 28% say it will have no impact on the race.
But that doesn’t mean Palin isn’t near the very top of the list when Republicans are asked what they think of her and whom they’d vote for in 2012 – as new data set for release at noon EDT today will show.
The crosstabs show this basic breakdown across almost all demographics. Younger voters under 29 years of age gave a plurality to her resignation improving her chances, while the next age demographic — thirtysomethings — were the least forgiving of the age categories, with 48% saying it hurt. Black GOP voters disapproved by a solid majority, 58%, to just 10% saying it boosted Palin. Moderate Republicans also had a majority disapproving, but interestingly, the plurality among professed conservative GOP voters also said it hurt (38%, to 24% helps).
For social categories, the polling was even more interesting. Women were slightly less forgiving than men and solidly less likely to think the resignation helped. GOP voters with children at home were also less likely to support Palin’s position: 41%-24% hurts to helps, versus 39%-25% for voters with no children. The numbers between married and unmarried voters are almost identical. Religious affiliations showed an interesting split: A slight plurality of evangelicals believe it helps (33%-29%), while Protestants (41%-24%), Catholics (46%-20%), and “other” (48%-13%) have much stronger disapproving pluralities. However, only among those “not sure” of their religious attendance did Palin win a plurality approval (29%-10%).
From the numbers, it appears that Palin only boosted her standing among evangelicals and young voters with this move. To be fair, Palin didn’t do this to improve her standing, but to resolve other issues. However, the impact of the decision has been negative in the demographics within the GOP where she needed to improve, and probably did more damage outside the GOP, which Rasmussen has yet to measure. That will be a problem for any future runs at national office, but not an issue at all for her standing as an activist, if she chooses to remain in that role in the near- to mid-term.
On the plus side, though, Palin retains high favorability ratings within the party, 76%-21%. Only Mike Huckabee has higher numbers (78%), although MItt Romney also does well (73%), showing both positioned for another charge at the GOP nomination in 2012. Newt Gingrich hits 65%. Neither Haley Barbour nor Tim Pawlenty break the 50% barrier, with 28% of people unsure about both. Even if they see the resignation as politically damaging, Sarah Palin remains one of the favorites in the party.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »
They have been told by most leading GOP mouthpieces that she hurt her chances.
Unless they heard her full resignation speech they will buy the story
It is up to her now, to get herself heard. She is actually doing quite well, considering the negative blast from her RINO jailers
entagor on July 7, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Isn’t that the crowd the GOP has been concerned about attracting?
katiejane on July 7, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Posting an MSM type headline in a shameless attempt to generate traffic will hurt your brand – just ask the NYT.
faraway on July 7, 2009 at 11:37 AM
…
Quitter.:)
a capella on July 7, 2009 at 11:38 AM
A Time reporter (no friend to Palin) in Alaska has reported that Democrats in Alaska were told by Washington DNC ops to block ANYTHING Palin supports thus causing a log jamb of epic proportions. She would have been a lame duck for 1 1/2 years causing huge damage to the state, and taking the shine off of everything she did previously (which is quite a portfolio of accomplishment).
portlandon on July 7, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Excuse me… you have no excuse for virtually anything you vomit up on this site. Anti-semitic troll freak. Leave.
katy on July 7, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Good point, and I agree. It depends how she bounces back after this. I don’t think it helps having the pundits of the right saying she is a quitter, although she clearly explained why she is doing this and I totally respect her decision. I wish Stanford would resign instead of being a lame duck in office. Palin definitely took the road less traveled.
deidre on July 7, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Good point.
Ed, now we want you to take time to explain why your idol is allowed to campaign on taxpayer money and how that’s ethical in your playbook? Since you are a conscientious person and not a Palin-hater, I am hoping you will ask the question of Pawlenty himself.
promachus on July 7, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I knew you’d find a religion. =)
portlandon on July 7, 2009 at 11:39 AM
She had another job lined up before she quit.
Is this necessary? That’s one person’s opinion. Why turn it into some talking point just because you disagree?
This is why this story is still news.
I don’t believe for a second that anyone here would be even half as charitable if a Democrat, specifically one favored for the next presidential election, had done the same thing.
In fact, so many harped on Obama’s decision to run for president during his term. It’s hypocritical to give Sarah a pass when she doesn’t even have the presidency as an excuse.
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 11:40 AM
There were three choices offered to GOP voters regarding Sarah Palin’s decision to resign as governor of Alaska regarding her chances of winning the party’s presidential nomination in 2012:
1) HURTS: 40%
2) NO IMPACT: 28%
3) HELPS: 24%
So, those stating that the Governor’s decision was “brilliant” have the support of 24% in this poll, the smallest group.
While the “traitors” critical of her decision are in the largest group, by far.
Loxodonta on July 7, 2009 at 11:40 AM
The GOP is 52% CULTISTS!!eleventy!!!11!!!!
It's Vintage, Duh on July 7, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I’m sure it will die down. But people can skip threads they’re not interested in. It’s not like there’s not a great big picture of her on each one. I skip threads.
LibTired on July 7, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I’m thinkin Labor Day would be a perfect time for a Tea Party and I would like to see Palin get involved in a BIG way!
joedoe on July 7, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Surely we can agree that most of the folks that said that she helped herself by quitting are hardcore Palinites who would follow her to the ends of the earth. Cult of Personality types. They’d say she did the right thing no matter what she did.
I mean, I didnt hear a big groundswell of people suggesting that she should quit before she did. How many Palin fans were urging her to quit the governorship before last Friday?
orange on July 7, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Link?
promachus on July 7, 2009 at 11:41 AM
I’m not interested in handicapping the 2012 presidential race. I want to concentrate on halting our nation’s immediate slide toward ruin.
Cap-and-trade, Obamacare, TARP, ridiculous unemployment, impending hyperinflation, and rapidly-approaching horrendous tax hikes … these are our immediate challenges, not extrapolating the political fortunes of our favorite politicians.
Focus, people. Focus.
OhioCoastie on July 7, 2009 at 11:41 AM
SNORT! Most unintentionally funny post of the day. The poll surely was supposed to help the know it alls who instantly condemned Palin. Keep searching, you’ll find a pony in there somewhere.
Someone should be writing headlines for the NY SLimes!
And when will that “other shoe” drop?
james23 on July 7, 2009 at 11:42 AM
oh, look at what the cat dragged in.
GOP has been the game for the last 28 years, you antisemitic piece of garbage.
runner on July 7, 2009 at 11:42 AM
I’m confused. I thought people who didn’t believe in man-made global warming were like Holocaust deniers. But now Gore is calling us Nazis?
Doughboy on July 7, 2009 at 11:43 AM
These are some of the same people that thought John McCain was a good candidate, and actually stood a chance in hell of winning. Who gives a f**k what they think?
They’re also the same ones who’ll pick some other benchwarmer middle of the road ankle grabbing lowlife to lose to Obama in 2012 so I wouldn’t let your heart be broken by their opinion.
austinnelly on July 7, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Sounds like it would be a better day for a giant rumble with the union rallies.
myrenovations on July 7, 2009 at 11:43 AM
She is not thinking in terms of politics, she is thinking in terms of what is best for those whose lives she can affect(including the people of Alaska) and what’s going on when she looks dispassionately at the big picture. She’s quoted this AM on the Assoc. Press as saying something like this more or less. It’s WE who are thinking politically.
jeanie on July 7, 2009 at 11:43 AM
So does Palin.
faraway on July 7, 2009 at 11:44 AM
“Hurt her chances” presupposes she intends to run for office again.
To lead and to inspire does not require holding elected office.
rogersnowden on July 7, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I guess we’d have to know whether the 28% who said “no change” thought she had a shot before this happened.
Like I said, I suck at stats but I eventually get where I need to go.
Thunderstorm129 on July 7, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I’m glad HotAir’s getting traffic over this. I want the site to succeed and prosper because I like the people behind it. But I’m with you on the absurd over-the-top Palinism from so many (recently registered?) commenters.
It’s getting creepy already.
Gilda on July 7, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I agree completly and I think she will be invaluable in making that fight. Could care less about her running in 2012.
a capella on July 7, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Palin is charting a course that has never been charted.
What the left doesn’t get is they flushed her out. They thought she would stay in office and be paralyzed by the attacks.
She trumped them…..
Now she’s been unleashed. As Rush say’s …. Put a bag of manuer in front of the left, and they’ll step in it.
katy on July 7, 2009 at 9:55 AM
katy on July 7, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Bigger news from Rasmussen today: Obama’s overall approval hits new low of 52% and the approval index is -3.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
Mark1971 on July 7, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Didn’t Biden spend his time campaigning for the presidency while getting a government check? Didn’t he then go on to run as Veep and campaign for The One while drawing that Govt. check? Didn’t he then put someone in that senate seat to keep it warm?
That is old school politics exemplified! Palin chooses not to play those games and she is the one criticized. It’s laughable and a little disconcerting.
joedoe on July 7, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Man, you can’t say a positive thing about Palin on this site or else you worship her. This is getting pretty sad honestly.
deidre on July 7, 2009 at 11:47 AM
orange on July 7, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Perhaps they are simply aping the hard core Obamanites–who are incapable of seeing anything wrong with him? Where is it written that Palinistas are not entitled? And..at least our gal is honest!! Maybe O should learn from her.
jeanie on July 7, 2009 at 11:47 AM
One that carries a high risk of never again being able to seek higher office. That’s a fact, one that Palin herself would freely admit.
And yet when people here or people on polls or the bloggers here admit that, suddenly they’re attacking her. This is insane.
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Current thoughts on Palin:
SP has hurt her political career because to win the game, you have to be in the game. It would be a shame to see her end up a talking head like Scarborough or Huckabee. Conservatives need more doers, not talkers and SP’s strength is in the doing. Will someone please tell her to move to PA and run against Arlen Specter for the senate? We need conservatives, not RINOs, in office to stop this crazy spending and the corresponding tax increases.
ROCnPhilly on July 7, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Why all the hate? Love thy neighbor.
faraway on July 7, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Looks like 40% are sheep lead by MSM doom-mongers. I’d rather be an independent thinker.
promachus on July 7, 2009 at 11:48 AM
News Flash: Palin doesn’t care about polls. She cares about the country. I wish more of our elected officials felt the same way. Palin has conviction. DC politicians have finger-in-the-wind-itis.
Redneck Woman on July 7, 2009 at 11:48 AM
And you can’t be the bit critical of Palin around here without being labeled a RINO or a troll or an Obama lover.
I hear ya.
JetBoy on July 7, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Sarah has made a decision to leave the governership of Alaska. Why do we have to second guess her. No one else would get national criticism of their career or family decisions. If you love her, give her space and privacy. If you don’t, she’s out of public life, get over it.
Now, isn’t there something else going on in the world that deserves a little attention; crap and trade, Iran, Jugears in Russia…
Laura in Maryland on July 7, 2009 at 11:50 AM
So you quit. Making a drama of it. Lady doth protest to much , methinks.
the_nile on July 7, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Wait…high risk? Based on what evidence? Palin would admit it’s a high risk? Again, based on what evidence?
Thunderstorm129 on July 7, 2009 at 11:50 AM
What is that job, faraway?
You really want to be like the O-bots?
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 11:50 AM
This whole way of looking at this is very prosaic.
MB4 on July 7, 2009 at 11:51 AM
OT………..Ed,
Get yourself an education…on firearms. Take the firstmate target shooting. I’ll bet she will out shoot you.
Jed1899 on July 7, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Palinistas:
Put down the frickin’ kool-aid already! Resigning her post just 16 months before the end of her term has got to be one of the all-time stupidest moves in the history of politics. She didn’t leave for some “higher purpose”, otherwise she’d tell us what it is. (She’s already admitted in recent interviews that she doesn’t know what she’s going to do in the immediate future). She ran away by quitting. If she’s somehow able to reinvent/redeem herself by doing great things for the conservative cause, then that will be great. But until then, quit mirroring the “Hope/Change” and “Yes We Can” crowd.
Dagnar on July 7, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Not sure if this has been mentioned… but doesn’t it make sense that the voting bloc most likely to get their news from blogs and other online media (under 29 yrs of age) would have a better understanding of Palin’s rationale as opposed to the older blocs that maybe still rely on the nightly news on the big3?
BPD on July 7, 2009 at 11:51 AM
While the economy is in the tank, how ’bout we raise the minimum wage too and see how that works?
Who are these idiots running our country?
joedoe on July 7, 2009 at 11:52 AM
The bottom line is that those opposed to Sara will use any excuse to try to diminish her. For those that like her, it will take something real like supporting amnesty or TARP II to make us reconsider.
Sara has become a litmus test for elitists/RINO’s. All those “conservatives” who argue the “quitter” mantra are outing themselves. They are basically arguing that Sara should have spent the next 18 months accruing unprecedented personal debt (probably would exceed 2 million or more) while being stymied at every turn JUST TO AVOID THE “QUITTER” LABEL.
But the media has been and will continue to be utterly savage to her. They will make things up and they will over hype any and everything. “Quitter” is actually tame by comparison.
America1st on July 7, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I guess if pundits keep saying this is a bad move, the people will agree.
jacrews on July 7, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Even if it’s a valid and reliable statistic, at this stage of the game it’s founded on spontaneous, unthinking responses and is essentially meaningless. Regurgitated emotion and mathematics have nothing in common.
rplat on July 7, 2009 at 11:53 AM
This poll is essentially asking individuals what they perceive other people’s reactions to be in regards to Palin’s resignation. I’m interested in the last part:
Cody Baker on July 7, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Let’s see, how about the fact that 40% of GOP voters, think it hurt her and bloggers who were pro-Palin throughout every Palin article before this weekend are now saying she’s most likely done.
Or how about the evidence in the Palin threads that people who donated to her campaign (hers, not McCain’s) are now saying they don’t trust her?
What more do you need? She needs voters to be successful, and voters are telling you in large numbers that she made a mistake (if she wants a higher office, which, let’s face it, we don’t know that she does.).
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Once Palin gets out on the speaking circuit and confronts the Statists head on, the polls will turn in her favor. She has a tremendous opportunity here to harness the anti-government feeling that’s growning in the lower 48. If she can speak this group, she’s back in the ballgame.
WordsMatter on July 7, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are.
- Niccolo Machiavelli
MB4 on July 7, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Palin has been very clear about her intentions. If some of you have a problem with comprehension, that’s not Palin’s problem.
Many of you are trying to lump her into the same old tired way of doing things in the political world. That inhibits your ability to take her at her word.
joedoe on July 7, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Obama is President.
faraway on July 7, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Think about it!! What’s wrong with finding someone in the GOP that many of us can rally around with deep sincerity. No apologies from Palinistas–onward!!
jeanie on July 7, 2009 at 11:56 AM
lol. It’s good to see the preferred noncombative way of approaching the issue.
a capella on July 7, 2009 at 11:56 AM
growning=growing
WordsMatter on July 7, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Notice how the media doesn’t even care about Romney, Pawlenty, Huckabee, etc.
It’s like they don’t even exist, and that must burn them up.
omnipotent on July 7, 2009 at 11:56 AM
With high favorability ratings within the party, Sarah Palin remains one of the favorites at 76%-21%.
Mcguyver on July 7, 2009 at 11:57 AM
These are the same pundits, in most cases, who helped bring support to Palin. So, what, are they only right when they agree with her?
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Your bright future of conflict mediation just crashed & burned.
portlandon on July 7, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Is that the kind of president you want?
And did you ever answer my question about what job she took? I’m not seeing it.
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Still seeking vindication for being a heel. We’d like to get past your divisiveness, Ed. If you can’t admit you were wrong to write her off, at least give it a rest.
maverick muse on July 7, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Anyone here pushing Democrat memes is not helpful.
Constructive criticism is fine.
faraway on July 7, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Lol… they’re alternates on the dance card, at best.
WordsMatter on July 7, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Oh, and the presidential election isn’t for 3 FREAKIN’ YEARS PEOPLE!
Chill the eff out.
omnipotent on July 7, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Sounds like Niccolo knew Steve McNair.
a capella on July 7, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Where’s the proof that he’s wrong? He’s only written her off as a presidential candidate, and the polls very clearly agree with him here.
If she doesn’t want to be president (and it seems unlikely that she still does), then she certainly can have a bright future.
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 11:59 AM
In Ed’s defense, I had the same initial reaction that he had. But then, after thinking about it a couple of days, I came around to realizing that this could be a master stroke for Palin if she plays it right.
WordsMatter on July 7, 2009 at 12:00 PM
At least Huckabee has a personality – a passive-aggressive jerk.
omnipotent on July 7, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Obama has many good qualities – energetic, good speaker, charasmatic, good family man. Its the Marxism that’s the problem.
Palin is seeking the leadership of our party.
Why do wish to push Dem memes like “cult” and “Palinista”?
Why not just point out that Palin’s move was risky and may not work? Who would disagree with that?
faraway on July 7, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Nah, only dead fish “go with the flow”.
– Governor Sarah Palin
Loxodonta on July 7, 2009 at 12:01 PM
40% of likely GOP voters fear Palin
aengus on July 7, 2009 at 12:01 PM
As long as you don’t offer the least bit of criticism of Palin, right? Because if you do, then you’re called a RINO and other less-complimentary names.
Dagnar on July 7, 2009 at 12:02 PM
You mean she’s not the “dumbest person EVARRRR LOL”?
LibTired on July 7, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Don’t care what she, or anyone else does, as long as it hurts Obama. Don’t care if she runs, or doesn’t, or is Pres. or isn’t, as long as she helps to destroy Obama.
JiangxiDad on July 7, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Yes… But he also said: “A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.”
Cody Baker on July 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Redneck Woman on July 7, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Amen, Sister! Go read the Time magazine article Drudge has linked to. Palin makes it pretty clear what she’ll be doing in the short-term: hitting the campaign trails for conservative candidates in 2010 and attacking Obama.
Hope Scott takes more polls once that starts happening.
NebCon on July 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Exactly.
If she can be Barry’s stalking horse from the lecture circuit and with news interviews, then her ‘sacrifice’ will be well worth it.
omnipotent on July 7, 2009 at 12:05 PM
So Ed, Allah, Ace, Etc. who are the great conservative voices of the blogosphere are knee jerk reactionaries? Hmmmm. I like this form of logic. Atleast you are big enough to admit it.
portlandon on July 7, 2009 at 12:05 PM
I’m not. I simply asked if that’s the kind of leader people here wanted in reaction to someone else who brought it up.
Obama isn’t just a Marxist, he’s also all fluff and little substance. He didn’t convince people to vote for him because they agree with him but because they think he’s cool, and it was the cool thing to do.
Republicans won’t get that. If Palin becomes Obama, we’ll get the fluff but not the cool part. Rock stars will line up to berate her, not celebrate her.
So it won’t even necessarily translate into success as the ballot box the way it did for Obama.
That is what I said, right here.
And even that doesn’t seem to be a “fair” point to those who believe Palin’s move was brilliant.
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Hate? Commenting on the creepiness of a cult of personality surrounding a professional politician is now regarded as hate?
Even creepier than I thought!
Gilda on July 7, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Yeah, Palin’s popularity. is due to the pundits.
Look, I can understand thinking this might be a bad move, but anyone speaking with authority on the subject is daft. Personally, if forced to go with someone’s political instincts, I’ll go with Palin.
jacrews on July 7, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Now look who’s into worshipping?
Don’t be a Hot Air-ista!
omnipotent on July 7, 2009 at 12:07 PM
With all the “ethics complaints”, and far worse, against Ed and Allah, by all the palinistas on hotair, perhaps Ed should resign his post here and go home to be with his children in the short term. Then others can say it was a brilliant move to resign at Hotair so that he can position himself to apply for Drudge’s job.
Because, as we all know, when people quit their current job under a series of accusations and vitriol, it gives them extra street cred to go and get a bigger, better job. Anyone who can’t see that, is worse than Hitler and a baby killer. I’m sure Michelle would think highly enough of Ed after he ups and leaves to phone up Drudge and give him a glowing reference.
Go, Ed! I love you Ed! It’s Brilliant!
/Morrisseyista
keep the change on July 7, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Why do some Plain supporters call all conservatives or Republicans who do not go with the Palin flow traitors, CINO’s, sheep, etc.? And why do some Palin supporters keep pushing the “fear” meme?
Personally, I don’t believe that’s a winning strategy?
Loxodonta on July 7, 2009 at 12:08 PM
It will if it works. My fear is that she’ll say something, and instead of attacking her point, they’ll just attack her, helping Obama distract from any mistakes he makes.
That’s what we’ve seen the last eight or so months.
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Sometime I wonder about the way people think.
I mean have you ever seen a bunch of people like the rinos and MSM jump the gun without thinking anything through.
To me the poll is pretty good considering all the misinformation, bashing, and the rinos trying to take her out.
Does anyone thing that the numbers won’t improve when Gov. Palin starts talking about her future for the country. Remember people have short memoires.
The thing to watch out for is the way the rinos react and Romney’s goons.
It will take Gov. Palin some time to built up funds. And as we all know money talks
Gov. Palin is going to have to get some people on her side to go out and spread her message besides talk radio. She is going to have to bend some. There are good people out there dying to carry her message.
I for one am rooting for this underdog and will enjoy the ride ahead.
oldyeller on July 7, 2009 at 12:09 PM
These are great numbers, esp after all the hit pieces from the left and right.
Has any seen her FaceBook? She is gaining 3000 fans per hour because of this terrible decision of hers.
Amadeus on July 7, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Palin’s a natural. If you ever knew one, you’d know what I mean. That means she does stuff that she herself knows how to make work out for her. Few would do things the same way “naturals” do. I’m not saying she’ll be President, or that this is the way to get there. I’m saying she knows exactly what she’s doing. And naturals aren’t Machiavellian. They don’t plot 30 chess moves ahead. They plunge into the deep water, and invariably figure out a way to make it to the side. (I married one, and she constantly amazes me.)
JiangxiDad on July 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
People need time to think about what happened. Majority really never had to start from nothing and achieve something, or start over after crashing and burning and again achieve something (not analogous to Palin’s case, but she is starting over in a way). They do not know how it is done, they do not think it is possible. So, no frame of reference; they use their own experience to explain, and in this case it may not be good enough. Out of the box thinking is a gift and I see it rarely myself. It is quite an asset in the business world and in politics.
runner on July 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
52% of voters are saying it’s good or neutral.
How many bloggers are positive about her decision vs how many are certain it was a mistake?
How many who’ve donated will not donate again?
I’m not saying your wrong, I just think you shouldn’t say it’s “fact” when it’s actually opinion. You shouldn’t say Palin would agree when you can be certain if she would or not. You can’t use a few websites and blog comments to say it’s fact or prove her decision was high risk.
That’s the only point I am trying to make. Again, I see your point of view. Just haggling over the terms. ;)
Thunderstorm129 on July 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM
And yet those who support Palin, speaking with their own presumed authority on the subject, are doing just that.
Obviously none of us can tell the future, but those predicting this will hurt her actually have evidence to back themselves up.
I don’t either. As far as I’m concerned, we didn’t attack Obama during the primaries because we feared him (though many did) but because we felt he was wrong for the country.
Going straight to impugning motives is generally a strategy that only angers those who don’t already agree.
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 12:12 PM
I haven’t read Rasmussen’s exact questions in the poll, but my first impression is that people are trying to assess the general reaction of other people. This doesn’t necessarily reflect their own viewpoint on the issue, which is an entirely different matter…unless that’s specifically what Rasmussen was asking.
Jaibones on July 7, 2009 at 12:14 PM
No, I was just referencing Ed and just this particular issue and I was pointing out that, when he first posted the info. on Palin’s resignation, his comments were made in the moment. I often find that after reflection and thought on an issue, views changed based on additional information or simply thinking through all the costs and benefits, which is difficult to do when one is trying to get information out to readers in a timely manner, that’s all.
WordsMatter on July 7, 2009 at 12:14 PM
No, she’ll only need to convince voters that liberals fear her.
Here’;s her first campaign ad.
aengus on July 7, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Fine. Fair enough.
But terms like “untraditional path” and similar words are often euphemisms for “risky”. Also, I don’t have Palin’s recent speech memorized, but she did say in it that many people wouldn’t understand and would think she was doing the wrong thing, so that’s where I believe (though can’t prove until I talk to her directly) that she would agree with my assessment that her decision was risky.
Is that acceptable?
Esthier on July 7, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »