Palin's Qualifications Now Top Concern About McCain Candidacy

Two polls released Tuesday provide striking evidence of Palin's transformation over the course of two months from GOP energy boost to major drawback, as the Alaska governor's rising unfavorability ratings have become a critical vulnerability for the McCain campaign.

Palin's qualifications to be president now rank as voters' top concern about John McCain's candidacy - "ahead of continuing President Bush's policies, enacting economic policies that only benefit the rich and keeping too high of a troop presence in Iraq," according to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.

Fifty-five percent of respondents now say Palin is not qualified to serve as president, a five-point jump from the previous NBC/WSJ survey.

In addition, for the first time, more voters have a negative opinion of her than a positive one. In the survey, 47 percent view her negatively, versus 38 percent who see her in a positive light.

That's a striking shift since McCain chose Palin as his running mate in early September, when she held a 47 to 27 percent positive rating.

According to another poll by Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, opinions of Palin have flipped in the last month, especially among the female voters she was expected to attract to the McCain ticket.

Nearly half -- 49% -- of voters have an unfavorable opinion of her while 44% have a favorable view. A month ago, "favorable opinions of Palin outnumbered negative ones by 54% to 32%."

Women, especially women under age 50, have become increasingly critical of Palin: 60% now express an unfavorable view of Palin, up from 36% in mid-September. Notably, opinions of Palin have a greater impact on voting intentions than do opinions of Joe Biden, Obama's running mate.

Comments

[robotsoul]

"voters grow cold as her bit gets old but expensive clothes are a girls best friend..."

[WestCoastWoman]

Sarah.... this is not a beauty contest.... oh that's right, you are not very smart.... but we are and we are voting Obama!

[lstl4]

Palin is not a smart woman, but she did pull in the votes for awhile. Without her, he wouldnt even be in the race. Now people are seeing the real Sarah Palin and are trying to blame her for him losing. McCain is not going to do anything for this country. He needs to retire and enjoy the rest of his life..

[almoguy]

He needs to retire in shame and learn the virtues of humility and penance.

[augiemarch]

This is doubly erroneous. If McCain had chosen a more experienced woman- say, Kay Bailey Hutchison- we would now have a much closer race. Palin is crass and ignorant and narcissistic , but she is'nt stupid; we should beware of underestimating her for future elections.

[Pacojam]

I disagree - I think she is stupid

[PaceSetter]

In an interview posted online Wednesday, Sarah Palin told Dr. James Dobson of “Focus on the Family” that she is confident God will do “the right thing for America” on Nov. 4.

She thanked her supporters — including Dobson, who said he and his wife were asking “for God’s intervention” on election day — for their prayers of support.

“It is that intercession that is so needed,” she said. “And so greatly appreciated. And I can feel it too, Dr. Dobson. I can feel the power of prayer, and that strength that is provided through our prayer warriors across this nation. And I so appreciate it.”

From this we can deduce that:

1. Sarah Palin believes God personally chooses our Presidents and Vice Presidents.
2. Sarah Palin believes that God should choose her as Vice President.
3. Sarah Palin believes that without God's intervention she will lose.
4. Sarah Palin is out of her mind.

[hangdogit]

"prayer warriors?" Onward Christian soldiers! Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!

[Valdar]

“Compliance with the code of ethics is not optional” is one of the best lines that I have read, and so very true. I question how Sarah Palin can show her face to the great people of Alaska. How can she look them in the eye? How can the people of Alaska ever trust her again? How can she face her family, her friends and her supporters? How can Sarah Palin smile and pretend that she has not told so many, many, many lies to the American People but worst to the people of Alaska. Sarah Palin should consider removing her name from the GOP ticket and stepping down as the Governor of Alaska. But she will not for she adores the crowds and the lights of Hollywood on her. But the bottom line is that one is ethical or one is not ethical and now it has been proven that not only is Sarah Palin not ethical she is attempting to encourage hate among the crowds as she continues to spew her lies. Perhaps her pastor should cast her into the water to see if she floats or sinks.

[SaintAlphonso]

Who was vetted worse, Palin or Joe the Plumber?

[SilverFoxUna]

The Repubs vet and promote whatever is politically expedient. They also fail to vet when they think they can get away with it. On the other hand, people who resort to the attacks being leveled against Obama are demonstrating a complete disregard for decency and fair play. The most desperate and dangerous people are those who are afraid to lose their power.

[UtahLady]

People are beginning to see the light. Sweet.

[AjazHaque]

This is what I wrote about Sarah Palin October 15.

Is Sarah Palin Cement Boots for John McCain?

Sarah Palin has a pretty face and a lovely smile. She stirs up the partisan crowd with her "betchas" and "darnits". Her speech at the Republican convention was well crafted by McCain handlers to appeal to general public and the Republican base and it it did - for a while. The bounce of 8 points in McCain's popularity has long since disappeared.

Each time Sarah Palin calls Obama "he doesn't think like us" or "palling with terrorists" it costs McCain a few points in the polls. As of this morning he is behind in all the polls from 5 to 13 points. Sarah Palin has energized the Republican base, but she has turned off Independents, who form as big a block as Republicans & Democrats. McCain needs to attract Independents and Sarah Palin has accomplished the opposite.

Has Sarah Palin's pick as a running mate proved cement boots for McCain? Her charm, frequent winks and cute smile have not overcome her deficiencies, the total inexperience on world stage, idiotic answers in interviews, hiding from journalists and not being able to name a single newspaper or magazine she reads (perhaps she doesn't).

The answer is quite clear, Sarah Palin has proved to be a liability for McCain. Picking her reflects a serious flaw in McCain's judgment. She may end up costing him the Presidency.

[pennsykid2000]

The drop in her polls are like the decline in Bush's poll numbers but on speed. Too bad his didn't drop BEFORE he was elected, like Palin's are.

[MoMan]

looks like We The People
finally got their collective head
out of their a$$
long enough to let
a dash of reality leak in...
congratulations!

[truthpls]

It's obvious that Palin has lost the job interview to become the next VP.

[JennyJay]

McCain saw Palin only one time, at a meeting somewhere, and then vetted her
with a (salivating?) 15 min phone call ? ?
The key word here is - - saw her - - I can't help but wonder if it was simply love at
first sight, and nothing mattered after that. . . He was just being the perfect
"sugar daddy" in buying her that expensive wardrobe.

[balrog221]

A question for the honorable Governor Palin. If she is an expert on fossil fuel as she claims, she should be quizzed about the origin of those fuels. When did the dinasaurs exist on earth might seem a simple enough question. The answer might be in direct conflict with her creationist theories. Of course she will answer the question like this …When did the dinasaurs roam the earth? Likely answer.... Barack Obama wants to raise your taxes

[Gizmo1125]

How in the world is Obama going to be able to contain Joe Biden if he is President ???? He will have to hire somebody to babysit him 24/7. You have to worry about everything that comes out of his mouth. There is no telling what he will be saying to other world leaders when he travels aboard. Why would Obama have ever chose him for VP is just beyond me.

[QwithoutU]

Palin is woefully unqualified and would pose a clear and present danger to the American people and to the world. Here's a video about her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vKbeEULaxI