Moderates, Republicans and the GOP Field [Palin "most popular of the leading 2012 GOP hopefuls"]

Public Policy Polling ^ | 07/21/2009 | Tom Jensen

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

For the second month in a row we found Sarah Palin as the most popular of the leading 2012 GOP hopefuls among moderate Republicans. 64% have a positive opinion of her compared to 57% for Newt Gingrich, 53% for Mike Huckabee, and 45% for Mitt Romney.

Those numbers are pretty low across the board though. By comparison, 82% of moderate Democrats approve of Barack Obama's job performance.

There aren't that many moderate Republicans left- just 27% of the party's voters and about 10% of the overall electorate- but there's no doubt their votes are going to be needed to have any chance of reclaiming the White House in 2012. The big question then becomes whether one of these four can get to the point where their popularity is 80+ with the moderate wing of the party, or whether it would take one of the dark horses to get to that point- and whether such a person could retain enough popularity with conservatives to win the nomination.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

PING! ;)

[domenad]

I am in completely bemused as to both the esteemed regard and massive contempt Governor Palin is held in.

[exist]

I heart Sarah.

[Oldpuppymax]

82% of “moderate” democrats!!! Oh please. So a moderate democrat would be what—Jim Moran, as opposed to lib democrat San Fran Nan??!!

[ABQHispConservative]

How can you compare 0’s numbers to Republicans? What other candidate do the rats have? Whereas Republicans have several candidates to pick from, rats have one (maybe two).

[Munson]

As a moderate Republican in the mold of Meghan McCain, I would openly support Sarah Palin for president if needed. Obama is a nightmare with the ideas of asking my father and grandfather to kill themselves for the good of the nation, that is lucid.

We have to have a candidate that the older Americans would be enthusiastic to vote for. We lost Ohio and perhaps Indiana due to lack of older people voting. And we need to help perk up young voters as well in 2012. Obama promised a better future for the youth of America, but it seems he killed the future of the youth for generations to come.

[Star Traveler]

For those idiot Romney-bots, the following is in order... LOL...

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Mitt Romney is a flip-flopping socialist bum!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2294955/posts
vanity | July 17, 2009 | Jim Robinson
Posted on July 17, 2009 1:37:43 PM CDT by Jim Robinson

Don’t trust him. He’s a RINO. Worse than a RINO. He’s the enemy within.

You never know where he honestly stands on any issue. What he promises today, he flips on tomorrow. It all depends on which way the political winds are blowing and which office he’s running for. He’s a liar.

He’s a big government socialist. His RomneyCare state run health care system is a big government boondoggle. It’s tyranny. Government provided, er, forced health care is tyranny not freedom or free markets. Do not believe the socialist propaganda supporting such nonsense.

Socialized medicine is simply another step to socialized government. Government solutions at the point of a gun are the opposite of what we need. This is socialism! Fascism! Mitt Romney is proud of his big government socialist creation and thinks it would be great for all of America. He wants to force you to accept what the state says is right for you. Your taxes will go up as government costs soar and the quality of the care you receive declines. High costs, long waits, rationing, poor or no service, big government force in other areas is where it leads.

“Hello, we’re from the government and we’re here to help you.” Believe that and you are a sucker!

Say NO to socialism! NO to RINOism! NO to Mitt Romney!!

Rebellion is brewing!!

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“word” to Romney-bots...

[Star Traveler]

I like to post this as much as possible for any Romney-bots who happen to be reading... LOL...

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Unlike Romney’s “National Council for a New America,” Free Republic is a conservative site!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2243314/posts
by Jim Robinson

If there is anyone here who doesn’t understand why we cannot support a slick socialist politician like Mitt Romney, God help you, but you’re on the wrong website. We went through this with the abortionist, gay rights activist, illegal alien supporting, gun grabbing Rudy Giuliani until someone created another website call WAnkers for Rudy and they all flew the coop. Hopefully, before too much FReeper blood is shed, someone will create a WAnkers for Romney site and we can be left to fight the good fight as we see fit!

FR is not for everyone!

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Any other questions, Romney-bots?... :-)

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

His RomneyCare state run health care system is a big government boondoggle. It’s tyranny. Government provided, er, forced health care is tyranny not freedom or free markets. Do not believe the socialist propaganda supporting such nonsense.

What Jim Thompson Said. ;)

[Al B.]

Another tidbit I just found out is that Romney’s PAC info just released shows donations to 3 Republicans (out of 8) who voted FOR Crap & Tax in the House. Castle (Del), Kirk (Ill) and Reichart (Wash). Pass it on.

[jla]

I am in completely bemused as to both the esteemed regard and massive contempt Governor Palin is held in.

Simply explained, actually. The former are those who honor and cherish (sounds like a wedding, eh?) not only our Constitution but the impetus that brought about that document, along with the Declaration of Independence.
The latter, for the most part, are status quo Republicans who don't really find the idea of big government objectionable, plus they oft have no patience, and little regard, for those pesky Christians who have the gall to believe morality should figure into the scheme of (governmental) things.

Hardly new. 1976 was the perfect example of your post. On one side (of the G.O.P.) were those who held "esteemed regard" for Ronald Reagan, on the other side, "massive contempt" for the same man.
Many of the latter, after Reagan gave his 'conciliatory address', were heard to utter, 'we voted for the wrong man (Ford).

Unlike 1976, lines in the sand have been, or will be, drawn. Many who support Palin cannot, repeat cannot, be counted on to automatically support a candidate who lacks conservative bona fides. I don't think it will come down to that though. If Sarah Palin declares her intent for 2012 then the GOP primaries will be but a formality. Hair o'Romney, Huck the Obese, or any other will or can put up much to oppose her.

The True Political Heir of Jefferson & Reagan

[techno]

Summary of PPP poll released yesterday:

FAVORABLES:

SARAH PALIN:
ALL REPUBLICANS 76%
MODERATE REPUBLICANS 64%
ALL CONSERV (D+R+I) 73%
OVERALL FAVORABLE 47% (3 OFF OBAMA)

FAVORABLES:
MITT ROMNEY
ALL REPUBLICANS 54%
MODERATE REPUBLICANS 45%
ALL CONSERV (D+R+I) 53%
OVERALL FAVORABLE 37%

[jla]

And the good news is that Sarah Palin's numbers will only go up!

Judging from the tone of her most recent Tweets I'd say that come July 26th Palin will be coming out breathing conservative fire!

[Al B.]

Palin’s overall fav only 3 below Obama? That’s gotta be a misprint.../s.

[techno]

If you go over to PPP poll (Democratic pollster) they are trying to create a narrative, despite the numbers, that Sarah is unelectable, but even they are beginning to concede that Sarah is a viable candidate in the GOP primaries. They are not that stupid.

[techno]

When you sit back and examine the bare facts sometime you have to ask yourself how it this happening? How could a woman, a governor of Alaska with only 3 electoral votes, someone who the MSM does not couch their hostility and contempt towards, and someone who has been portrayed as a religious bimbo-extremist wacko-how can she be held in such high regard by both conservatives and moderates in her own party?

[SolidWood]

Thanks for the ping, but I pinged already to this poll.