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

[force fed up]

Put this headline next to the "Republican approval ratings are at an all-time low" and suddenly this headline doesn't mean so much, does it?

[TParrish]

If Palin runs for President, I suggest that we settle it with a spelling bee.

[Gladys1963]

Excillent--I mean, good idea!

[Taz2]

The GOP and especially Mrs. Palin - "No" Longer Own the Family Values argument

Looks like President Obama Is "The New Moral Authority on Family Vales" and Parenting!!

[2008CaliforniaFan]

Apparently not ALL the people of Alaska are her Fans. Check out this cartoon posted today.

It really set off her wing-nuts at her 'Fan-site' ... and they are REALLY hopping made.
Read the story behind it. Any spare nickels... you know where to drop them.

http://divasblueoasis.com/

[Sinick]

OMG, this poll speaks volumes about the mindset of the 'pubs...

[mtdem4ever]

Of the "general public, however, ... [t]he Alaska governor's rating among all voters was split nearly in half: 45% favorable....". I find this very worrisome that 45% of non-Reps have a favorable opinion of this ignorant, backwards, wench!

[gvc]

The general public includes 30% republicans. So that means for every 100 members of the general public, 22 of her 45 votes come from republicans. The other 22 come from the remaining 70. That is 31% favorability among non-republicans.

Still too high, but not 45%.

[plaidsportcoat]

favorable doesn't mean they vote for her - or at all. and the numbers are way high ennyhow

[force fed up]

eh, your polls are skewed, she is not that popular.

[wanda665]

with all the lies told the public you can bet this is another one to keep that person before a camera

[WowJones]

She looks like one of those girls who bathes in the sink.

[myworld]

that's called an T.A.P.

[IndyGirl19]

Clowns are always "popular" at parties. But who takes one seriously?

This poll means nothing. For those of you who equate Who is more "popular?" with Who is fit to lead? Are you kidding?

When the rubber meets the road, are the grownups going to go for the drama queen party girl? Nope.

[tifaret]

What i find alarming is that 45% of the general public have a favorable opinion of her....that's nearly 1 out of every 2 people....!?

[demimckingwoodtx]

What public ? hickabillies?

[enoughalready13]

They are polling demented drooling senior citizens in nursing homes ... enough said.

[mollymac]

45% of republicans!

[agroman]

See what your evangelicals are doing in other countries

American pastor remanded in Kenya on porn charges..
During the day, he was a man of God, preaching the good news to his flock. But at night, he turned into somebody else, engaging in sex orgies and recording them for commercial distribution.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/615018/-/ukd15u/-/index.html

[blukazoo]

Based on the 15 people that they polled...

[momcat4obama]

who they interviewed on the streets of New York, in front of the David Letterman Show.....

[tahoegal]

which really shows the Rethugs are in a death spiral....

[chaya]

Confirmed: Most of the remaining part of the population willing to vote for Republicans are far-right, goggle-eyed nutjobs. Who else would think Palin was terrific?

[YOUCANKEEPTHECHANGE]

The liberals have their man in office yet they focus on the republicans day in and day out. WOW!!!

[Phoebe917]

this *is* a political forum, einstein. politics encompasses all things political. jeez.

[2008CaliforniaFan]

There was THAT story on Sanford today....I think he was reading the " Hypocritic Oath".

He couldn't quite get the 'Glenn Beck tears ' flowing though.

[blukazoo]

Wow! It's a website about politics and they cover both parties. What a crazy idea!

[Hollywooddeed]

The conservatives seem to focus on Democrats, so what's your point?

[demimckingwoodtx]

I wonder when Sarah's man will come out and tell about her affair?

[timberdoodle]

It's been done and it was her husband's partner.

[littlechuckie]

Which means 24% of the vote will go to the GOP. Dems get the rest.....

[EspritDeVoltaire]

If they're lucky. Don't forget she still has 3 years to scare others out of the party before the election.