Palin Is Most Popular GOP Figure, Romney Comes In Second: Poll

Sarah Palin is the most popular figure in the GOP, according to a Pew Research Center poll released on Wednesday.

The poll surveyed leading GOP politicians' favorability among both Republicans and the general public. Palin took the lead in terms of popularity within the party, with 73% of Republicans giving her a favorable rating.

Among the general public, however, Palin was found to be a particularly polarizing figure. The Alaska governor's rating among all voters was split nearly in half: 45% favorable versus 44% unfavorable.

According to the poll, Mitt Romney is the second-most popular GOP figure. He received a 57% favorability rating among Republicans and among the general public, a 40% rating. Overall, Romney's ratings are an improvement over last year on nearly every front, meaning he's gotten more popular since his presidential bid ended.

The other GOP figures in the survey did not fare as well as Palin and Romney. Newt Gingrich had a 55% favorability rating among Republicans and a 22% unfavorable rating. Michael Steele, meanwhile, had only a 28% favorability rating. A full 58% of Republicans said they do not know enough about the RNC chairman to register an opinion.

Get HuffPost Politics On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[graceland9]

This means that the next election will be Dem / Independent. There will be no major Rep opponent.

[SeabeeC]

And the people who should be running the Republican Party -- the levelheaded, pragmatic, thoughtful, experienced leaders -- are being pushed out of office by the religious fanatics, neocons, and other right-wingers who want the mediocre, flighty, uneducated and inexperienced "shining stars." Palin's "electrification" of the GOP is roughly equal to the electrification one gets from sticking a wet finger in an open outlet. Unfortunately, the powers that be in the GOP still don't get it. And it's not even fun to watch them eat their dead anymore.

[TullyMars]

"the levelheaded, pragmatic, thoughtful, experienced leaders -- are being pushed out of office". To whom are you referring? BTW-I still think it's fun watching them eat their dead...

[mychagal]

Did I hear Tina Fey somewhere in the comments? Those poor poor republicans. It's really reaching when Palin is the most popular member of the GOP. It certainly doesn't say much. On the other hand, since she is among the most corrupt of her party, she is the perfect pick!

[One more Thing]

Mark Sanford is by far the most popular, more cosmopolitan and perhaps most sxuallly active!

[4 Real]

Last I read she was dropping the AK polls. It's very possible she will not be re-elected governor and if she decides to not run and go for 2012, there is plenty of dish on the woman from the last presidential campaign that will be used against her.
I can't possibly see her gaining any ground politically, if anything, her political career is fading away fast.

[slipthalo]

I really question if she will run again for Governor as she might have doubts about winning and if she would lose, voila! the end of her political aspirations.
I'd say her future depends a lot on what happens in TX. She has endorsed Perry and he has been very vocal about how he appreciates her support. If he wins she will milk it for all she can but if he loses then her appeal as a high profile support for the GOP team will drop drastically.
Just my thoughts.

[housecalls50]

Well if that doesn't just say it ALL about the repugnant party.

The dumbing down of America is now complete..­.when she is the most popular member of the goofy, outrageous party (GOP).

Heaven help us all if ANYBODY thinks that somewhere in that petite,little frame, topped with too much hair is a legitimate candidate for President.­....YIKES!­!!

[1Troubles]

Don't forget her pretty corsage

[demomntgirl]

Well.....o­k.
But they left out a few answers for people to choose.
They shouldv'e added.....
none of the above.
pr....
Does not apply, b/c I wouldn't vote for any Republican.
Why not do a legitimate poll....
If the election were held today would you vote for Obama or Palin??
If the electio9n were held today would youvote for Obama or Romney?
As said before...b­eing that the GOPers numbers are lower NATIONALLY
than Sarah Palins comprehension of the English language..­..
and how to SPEAK IT WELL with proper grammer...­.
this poll is a NON ISSUE.

NEXT ARTICLE PLEASE....­...

[4 Real]

Let's hope Tina Fey is up for round two. Should be a fun time.

[plaidsportcoat]

dumsh*ts vs richies

[jiml1956]

That's fine. I can't wait to see her in Republican primary debates. The looks on the other candidates faces as they try to understand what she is saying will be priceless.

[mltmama]

And just wait to see what happens after 3 more years on that face.

[drlouise]

Maybe they just polled the angry white men of the party and maybe they were looking at those top unbuttoned buttons Palin loves to flaunt, you betcha!

[IndyGirl19]

If we've got 45% favorable and 44% unfavorable toward Palin, that leaves 11% unaccounted.

If these folks felt ANYTHING positive for Palin they would have said so. As they didn't swing favorable, well, that just shows they have reservations about her. At the end of the day, Palin can't get a majority vote.

[loudyk]

My God! If that isn't scary, I don't know what is. The Repubs are really a disasterous mess these days.

[Agent420]

Barf!

[plaidsportcoat]

ditto barf

[vippy]

If push comes to shove then I am for Palin over Mitt Romney,who is filthy rich and therefore out of
touch. At least Palin knows how hard it is to live on a budget. But please, we need fresh new blood.
Someone not as known but sincere and apolitical!

[demimckingwoodtx]

And we care because?????

[IndyGirl19]

Wake up! Palin can't live on a budget, so she's helped herself to the State of Alaska budget.

Or we can talk about the budget of the City of Wasilla... a budget that was forced to accomodate $50,000.00 to REDECORATE her office. Yeah, a city of what, 5,000 at the time. Plus, they had to hire a city manager to do her job.

She just repaid (because she was forced to) a of portion of what she owes back to the Alaska taxpayers because she inappropriately charged them for dragging her kids around the country on Alaska's dime.

And by the way, just because one has money does not mean they are out of touch.

Sincere and apolitical? You have stars in your eyes, my friend.

[4 Real]

You mean she know's how to live on someone else's budget. She's not shy about taking money that doesn't belong to her.

[myworld]

Maybe he will sponsor her and the fam for makeover at Saks