McClatchy: Palin's Approval Ratings Tumble -- In Alaska

By: E&P Staff Since she was picked for the Veep spot, the press has often noted that Sarah Palin has "80%" approval ratings in Alaska. Just yesterday, John McCain told the Des Moines Register editorial board that she is "the most popular governor in the United States." But that may be outdated.

McClatchy reports today that her approval rating in her home state has tumbled to 68% -- still high but surely not the country's best. The poll by a local firm that works for both parties was taken Sept. 20-22. McClatchy writes: "Palin?s popularity has swooned as new information about the local abuse-of-power investigation known as Troopergate has trickled out, and as national and local media pick over her track record as a governor and small-town mayor.

"Palin still has overwhelming support among Alaska Republicans. But many Democrats and independents, who gave her positive marks just a month ago, have changed their views....

"Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc., said an approval rating in the 60s for a governor is good. His recent polling in six western states found two governors with approval ratings in the low-80s, two in the 60s and one in the 50s."

Also, contrary to McCain's statement that Palin is "overwhelmingly popular" with Americans, in a new survey Pew finds that 51% of Americans now believe that Palin is unqualified, up from 37% after her announcement.

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