Palin Popularity Plunging in Polls

Sarah Palin is no longer the most popular governor in the country. That title now belongs to Connecticut Republican Governor M. Jodi Rell. Rell has a 70% approval rating (4.10.09). Connecticut has five times the population of Alaska.

Sarah Palin is no longer the most popular politician in Alaska.

Senator Lisa Murkowski is. She is polling at a combined approval of 76.3%. Lisa Murkowski avoids drama. Alaskans, while not always agreeing with her, agree she is, unlike Sarah Palin, at work.

In March 2008, Sarah Palin's combined positives were 85%. Her combined negatives were 12%. In July of 2008, according to the same polls, if you walked into a bar with 100 people, 12 people didn't approve of the job Sarah Palin was doing. Good luck getting a drink.

Last September, Sarah went on tour...and stayed on tour-like an old Aqua Net 80's band that ought to stick to playing local bars and count their iTune downloads. Sarah Palin consistently ignored the needs of Alaskans. As a result of her job abandonment, her approval rating suffered. The new Hayes Research polls show the governor at 54% combined approval and 41.6% combined disapproval. 30% of her former fans now boo her. Love can be fickle.

Alaskans are starting to get it. Palin's job approval numbers have dropped consistently since she came back from the Hate Talk Express tour. Neglect doesn't play well here.

Since these poll numbers were released, Sarah Palin has dug her naughty monkey heels in; she is selfishly refusing $28.6 million in State Energy Program stimulus funds. Alaska has the highest energy costs in the country. Newsflash: it gets cold here! The money would be used to winterize homes, which in turn, would reduce energy consumption and costs, while...ding ding ding...providing local jobs and STIMULATING a sluggish economy!!!

Palin said she doesn't want to be part of "growing the national debt." If she were truly concerned, she would accept the stimulus package in its entirety and then write the federal government a check. The $28.6 million she is rejecting will go to another state-probably California.

In a bipartisan plea to the governor, Senators Bill Wielechowski-D, Anchorage, and Lesil McGuire-R, Anchorage, asked Governor Palin to accept the money to help with urgent and important state needs. Our state budget is almost a billion dollars in short fall, and the $28.6 million would help with long range costs. The state budget prioritizes energy assistance to the tune of $100 million annually. What a concept. The stimulus money would fund more energy auditors, contractors, and tradesmen in the short term. Families struggling to pay high heating costs would benefit in the long term. Those families will spend it-thus the stimulus.

Last year, the governor, in a sweeping "love me long time" gesture, spent $740 million in an "energy assistance rebate." It came in the form of a one time payment of $1,200 to every man, woman and child in the Alaska. You should have seen the line at Best Buy that day. The checks evaporated like Palin's approval ratings.

The governor is, once again, pandering to her disappearing base and prioritizing her dream of a 2012 presidential run ahead of the real needs of Alaskans. Not accepting this money makes her a "conservative?" Her position contradicts the truth. Her own state agency, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, stated they already have requirements on buildings to insure they meet national energy standards. The federal requirements apply to towns larger than 2,500 people. Granted, most of the state's population lives in larger towns, but the majority has energy codes already in place. So, in fact, Palin could use the funds for projects already under the federal codes.

It's crap. Sarah's excuse is crap. Her actions are as erratic as her reasoning.

Rush "Boss" Limbaugh thinks Sarah is fabulous. Boss thinks she's the new face of the party-the party that "won't attract liberals...thank God." Well, Rush lives in Florida. Rush hasn't spent up to $11 a gallon for heating fuel. Rush hasn't spent three months in sub-zero temperatures. Rush hasn't lived where the sun doesn't rise for a month.

Rush should shut it. He reminds of a guy full of fishing stories who probably can't bait his own hook. Sarah can feel pretty good about her endorsement from the real leader of the GOP. Sarah Palin is sacrificing Alaska for Boss Limbaugh's affection.

If the governor doesn't step up and help the state with some financial energy relief by May 12^th, her next polls will drop even lower.

Alaskans don't consider heat a luxury.

Comments

[mikehunt1957]

Palin seems to be the most popualr subject on every blog I've been on. She has 1400 comments on this thread alone. Why? If she is so unpopular, why bother with her? I'll tell you why. Because she is deep inside of Nobamas and everyone elses head. When she walks in to a room, its cheering like game seven of the NBA Finals. She is the reason Chambliss was elected in GA. She is honest, people like that. Aren't you all sick of flip flopping lying politicians?

[J242]

" She is honest, people like that. Aren't you all sick of flip flopping lying politicians?" She's honest? Since when? Was she honest in stating (before ti came to light that Bristol was pregnant) that "abstinence only and education along with biblical faith are the only ways to keep kids from having premarital sex"? Reality would suggest otherwise.

Was she honest in stating that she killed the "bridge to nowhere"? No, she fully supported it from the beginning and turned against it when the polls showed that people were pissed off.

Was she honest in speaking about her son joining the military to serve his country? No, he got a plea-bargain deal and joined rather than go to jail for committing arson and destruction of government (Wasilla High School) property to the tune of $50,000 if not more.

Where has she EVER been honest?

[mollymac]

There isn't an honest bone in her body!

[deosil]

That´s not the reason. America was enthralled with Tonya Harding, too. Paris Hilton, Britney...they all get play. Palin is one of THOSE.
Sarah says she relates to Miss California PREJEAN? Well, WE equate Sarah with that exact same ilk.
The only thing that makes Palin exceptional here is that she is the only brunette in a category of vapid, vacuous blondes.

[mychagall]

You're wrong! She is a supremely dishonest human being. Don't let the cheers she gets, when she walks into a room, fool you. The people who cheer her are irrelevent. They are but a small population of people who are not very bright, and would follow anyone who spouts evangelical phrases. These people are but a fraction of the people who really count.

When all is said and done, Palin will continue to prove what a loser she really is. She lost the last election, and she will lose the next.. Maybe this time, it will be much worse. People are getting sick and tired of all these wingnuts, even the republicans!

[DocSyracuse]

What is it with the left and Sarah Palin?????

1 out of 10 stories here are about her, and ANY thread regardless of subject eventually mentions her.

LET. IT. GO.

[deosil]

We can hang on as long as the pitbull in lipstick can! I think we WILL!!!

Sarah Palin-Tonya Harding 2012!

[the-lexicon]

Why is the left so threatened by Palin, that they must keep attacking her?

Is that a serious question? When I'm working in my garden, and I swat at flies, does that mean I fear them?

just in case....No, it doesn't. It means I have to keep them out of my eyes.

lexicon

[City of Evil]

Your math is a little off. If she went from 85% approval to 54%, then she didn't lose "30% of her former fans", but ~ 26%.

[SharpDressedMan]

Technically your reasoning is correct but many readers don't understand math well enough to comprehend your point.

But your number is incorrect. It should be ~36% and looks worse for Palin.

(85 - 54) / 85 = ~36%

[the-lexicon]

Hilarious Huffpost Headliner Heaves Homerun.

lexicon

[micmac]

Why is the left so threatened by Sarah Palin? I don't get why they feel the need to constantly attack everything she does. It is getting old and tiresome. It will backfire on the left in 2010 if they keep it up.

[DCinFrance]

I'm sorry to say you have no idea what you are talking about. Most of my friends are conservative republicans...on the right as you so astutely see the world and a consequence of my position in a capitalistic enterprise. And, to the person--being educated and aware of the way finance works--feel just as threatened by Sarah Palin. None of them want a fundamentalist fruitcake with her finger on the button in charge.

[ObamAtomic]

Omg,threatened,is not that,lol is like amusing! Sara!

Old and tiresome,you got choices,no one is holding you here,

lol Ya betchat,*wink*

[ObamAtomic]

Old and tiresome,you got choices,no one is holding you here.
wink,wink,betcha!

[snoopjohnny]

Maybe some on the left are threatened by Sarah Palin. I remember hearing democrats say she might help put Obama in office. Judging by the election, some on the right may have been a little threatened, or less than enthusiastic about her as vice pres. after watching interviews. Personally, I don't feel threatened, but maybe I would if she and McCain were leading our country through a difficult recession.

[stimpy]

Then stop trotting her out as the face of the GOP. Mystery solved!

[American50]

she must be great if the left hates her.........!!

[Buddy McCue]

Weird logic.

Start with the conclusion, and then work your way backwards...

[SharpDressedMan]

The left hated George Bush. Was he great? No, he is one of the worst presidents in our history.

[texasrodeoqueen]

I'm sure that's because many Americans are doing what I am with all politicians after GW Bush. Comparing her behavior with symptoms in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. No more outright maniacs.

[huffyjive]

L183rals fear Sarah....they even devote a whole section to her. Why? To make us afraid of her...keep trying, its not working.

[wheresthebeef]

Um...apparently you didn't read the article, Brainiac. It's working nicely.

[Buddy McCue]

Nobody fears Sarah.

The fact that articles are written about her are not proof of any such thing. Lots of articles are written about lots of things, and it doesn't mean that those things are necessarily "feared." Does it now?

You should either stop trying to work out these little ideas of yours... or start trying a lot harder.

[ObamAtomic]

That is the reason why you are here?Keep trying, its not working.:)

[aloha43]

Of course it's not working for "you".

The intelligent people in our country are not afraid of this complete hillbilly, God pushing, anti-choice, completely unintelligent, awful person.

There is no fear.

We speak out because we DON'T want this woman anywhere near the Presidency. She doesn't fit the mold in any shape or form.

Please.....keep her in Alaska where she belongs.

[hemnebob]

fear sarah palin?

nope...no fear here. i have to wonder about you tho...

FEAR: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

nope...no fear here. i think the gop has more of a trance with her...like, 'did she really say that?'
or maybe... 'i truly cannot believe she said that.'

nothing to fear about someone like her. now you on the other hand, should stop texting while you poo...
and make sure you wash your hands!

[AFAN]

Sarah if she ran for President wouldn't come close in winning because of the changing demographic.
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/article.php?id=AIA2009040901

[American50]

Palin is a great Gal
Just because she doesnt read the same garbage magazines of the left
They want to paint her as stupid.
I will take one Palin to twentyseven Barney Frank's

[DubyaGump]

She reads?

[texasrodeoqueen]

why yes! she reads, 'Massive Amounts" of....uh..­...uh.....­uh those magazines in the plastic surgeons office and under the hair dryer

[American50]

surely so much better than you

http://wwwamericanpatriot-vance.blogspot.com/

[KayJay90]

Well, we all know she reads PEOPLE magazine. In fact, she's been on its cover or in its pages 3 or 4 times since last fall, and I'll bet she has a lifetime subscripti­on....just in case.

I also know she has a "hot line" to the magazine, where in January she left a voice mail message ranting about both Levi Johnston and her daughter Bristol not being high school dropouts. Even though there's documentation from 2007 and 2008 that they DID drop out of high school.

I'll bet The First Dude has a lifetime subscription to Esquire, now that his story has been told there. There's a funny quote by his father-in-law that sounds like another blurting of "too much information" about one of the two babies in the household.

And Sports Illustrated, which covered in great (and very helpful to progressive bloggers in Alaska) detail how he and his snowmachine-racing partner have received $30,000 and more from their sponsors that none of the other racers in the Iron Dog race competition do -- and do you think all of these gift details showed up in Gov. Palin's financial disclosure statement? No.....

[KeepMeLearning]

You haven't understood yet how stupid she really is?

That says a lot about you.

[DCinFrance]

LOL...you lost me at "Gal".

The point being, there's no "painting" involved. Now, by definition, half the people in the world are below average intelligence. Further, there is no moral worth in either "smart" or "stupid". In either case, you did nothing to deserve them.

Nonetheless, Sarah Palin is part of the southern half of the curve, and though I don't hold her responsible for that, I do hold her responsible for not, such as yourself, being educated--and that includes reading...­well...any­thing.

[darkpragmatist]

pardon me for nit-picking because i completely agree with the sentiment, but it's actually only 25% of people who are below average intelligence. the average spans 50% with 25 above and 25 below. that is to say, 50% of people score between 90 and 110. 25% score below 90 and 25% score above 110.

[ObamAtomic]

uhm!
!Sight!
ok
and,,,, :)

[DubyaGump]

I guess it's time to p ose for P l ay boy

[diidii73]

now that is something i will vote for her , lay it all out coz brains she is short of that ,but she has a body which i don,t mind checking out .that,s it.

[ObamAtomic]

UH not,past her prime!
No wait,maybe you right,lol

[artistonhill]

Can't happen fast enuff for me............ Palin is not bright, not centered, sadly thinks publicity is a 'good thing' and I personally would like to be informed with things that matter.

[WowJones]

OOPS!

[Vermontah]

Republicans like her have nothing to contribute at all. Their "popularity" is 100% marketing and image promotion, like any celebrity. They hook onto their big sellers (abortion, guns, taxes) and pound away at them every day.

But they have nothing. No philosophy beyond the acquisition of power. They don't understand the constitution or the country.

Because many, many Americans are remarkably uneducated, prejudiced and addicted to television, the GOP is successful in their marketing venture, up until it all falls apart. Which is why Obama is president and Palin is paling.