Obama Besting Palin In Deeply Republican Tennessee: Poll

WASHINGTON -- A poll released Monday provides more evidence that Republicans would hamper their chances in the 2012 presidential election were they to choose Sarah Palin as their nominee.

The survey, conducted by Vanderbilt University's Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, concluded that President Barack Obama would beat Palin in Tennessee in a hypothetical campaign matchup, despite the president's approval rating of just 44 percent in the state.

Forty-two percent of respondents said they'd vote for Obama, while 37 percent said they'd pick the former Alaska governor, the Tennessean reported on Monday. This, in a state that hasn't gone for a Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton in 1996 -- even though the party's nominee in 2000, former Vice President Al Gore, called Tennessee his home.

The Vanderbilt numbers are hardly concrete. Palin is not yet a candidate, and a lot can happen in nearly two years, especially with the unemployment rate widely expected to remain above 9 percent this year and above 8 percent at the end of 2012.

But the poll findings still represent a telling data point as Republican voters survey the field of prospective candidates. Late last month, the progressive-leaning survey firm Public Policy Polling found that, were Palin on the ballot, Texas would become a swing state, with 47 percent of Texan respondents saying they'd vote for the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee while 46 percent said they'd back Obama.

In Tennessee, Obama even bested Palin among self-identified independent voters by a solid 12-point margin, 44 to 32 percent. Among self-described moderates, the margin is a staggering 33 points, 57 percent to 24 percent.

Comments

[alybaba]

09:39 AM on 02/09/2011

Palin has no chance

[Majestic2010]

08:54 AM on 02/09/2011

I discovered how to become rich in America! Just say liberal and un American about a zillion times and say stupid stuff. Show that you love guns and hunting, and you to can't be a millionare!

[southingtonian]

01:53 AM on 02/12/2011

blogs.wsj.com/wallet/2008/10/03/sarah-palin-millionaire/
puts the lie to your statement.

[twin1616]

04:47 AM on 02/09/2011

Again, the republicans biggest problem is themselves. Once the tea party dust settles and people come back to their senses they are going to realize that the republicans have no agenda and have not had one since His Royal Highness, W, was selected. The Tea Party consists of bellowing media mongers, and they, too, have no agenda. Talking loudly and NOT carrying a big stick is not going to continue to get votes. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.

[twin1616]

04:40 AM on 02/09/2011

Goes to show you that even country folk don't cotton to Wasiliabillies.

[interlude]

03:18 AM on 02/09/2011

This is not necessarily anything to be proud of. It's like besting someone off the shortbus. It's a national embarrassment that the Palin is even considered. I'm sure there have been other periods in history similar to this but we shouldn't be repeating them.

[CosmoMaxwell]

11:47 PM on 02/08/2011

November 2012. When the votes are counted, President Barack Obama will best anyone the gop can put against. It doesnt matter who they nominate, or how badly they smear the president, we're going to re-elect him and give the majority back to democrats.

[luvobama]

12:05 AM on 02/09/2011

Fanned and faved.

[hatrickpenry]

01:06 AM on 02/09/2011

Good luck with that pipe dream. He wont even be on the ticket for 2012, probably exiled in Indonesia by then. Soros and crew have already jumped ship and won't be backing him. They can read the writing on the wall. He's toast, stick-a-fork-in-him, DONE.

[rlkinny]

06:15 AM on 02/09/2011

You're in for a major disappointment. You might want to consider stocking up on Xanax.

[hmmmmm]

11:44 PM on 02/08/2011

Shhhhhh! don't tell. We WANT her on the ticket, remember?

[terkid]

11:00 PM on 02/08/2011

The "Whalin' Palin Cartoon Show" is on its way to cancellation. Yes!

[CaliTLC]

10:13 PM on 02/08/2011

Uh oh.

[buckbanter44]

10:11 PM on 02/08/2011

Only HuffPo would brag about the prez taking 42% in a poll.

[traceymarie]

10:46 PM on 02/08/2011

A poll in baggerville, be specific

[naschkatze]

09:22 PM on 02/08/2011

Any Democrat who thinks Palin is going to be Obama's opponent has his head in the sand or up some place where the sun don't shine.

[traceymarie]

10:48 PM on 02/08/2011

who else do you guys have? Gingrich romney thune odonnel barbour mccain who else is running you guys nominate a new bagger everyday.

[moose and squirrel]

11:11 PM on 02/08/2011

its gonna be mittens.  everyone else is just plain cookoo...

[JBDenver]

09:17 PM on 02/08/2011

I'm a repub and I think you libs are picking the wrong fight.

I don't see any way that Palin tops a ticket in 2012. Bristol has become the "Billy Carter" of a new generation and SP's inability to keep that girl "reigned in" will keep her from being taken seriously by those who by and large agree with her positions. There is too much ammunition (for lack of a better term) to keep libs reloading (again, a euphamism) against the former Gov of AK.


I think most repubs agree, Palin will make noise, get a showcase at the convention, but will ultimately be supporting a candidate with a chance of being electable...whomever that may be.

With that in mind, for this "earth moving" poll I hope those that funded it will make better choices with their discretionary income next time.

Maybe their next poll should be to determine if "stuffing is actually better than potatoes" or "do euphamisms truly lead to extreme violence". (Maybe they should ask Ed Schulz about his "I'm gonna burn this fu@$er down" comment when he was pouting about face-time last election cycle - last I knew, MSNBC was still standing).

That or donate those dollars to a worthy cause...

[traceymarie]

10:49 PM on 02/08/2011

OKAY, who do you guys have?

[margaritamayhem]

10:54 PM on 02/08/2011

That's a good question. JB, who do you think is a viable candidate?

[interlude]

03:22 AM on 02/09/2011

An electable candidate like McCain?

You need to open your eyes and look around at the insanity oozing out of your party.

[itschuck2c]

09:06 PM on 02/08/2011

Waste of money these polls..she has it good. She aint gonna run.

[CosmoMaxwell]

11:53 PM on 02/08/2011

No, shes goinmg to try. Her ego is out of control and she wants to beat Barack Obama. The gop will reject her during primary season, for more than one reason, but she will try for the nomination. The woman is obsessed with Barack Obama.

[Seattlelite]

08:27 PM on 02/08/2011

My Jack Russell Terrier (very clever little dog) would fair better than Palin for President, so how is this a surprise to anyone.

[arnth01]

08:18 PM on 02/08/2011

How is Palin polling against FDR?