Romney's Image Improves; Palin Well Regarded by Republican Base

Pew Research Center ^ | June 24, 2009 | Pew Research

[GOPGuide]

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has seen his favorability ratings improve and now enjoys a positive balance of opinion among the general public: 40% rate him favorably, 28% unfavorably. This marks a reversal of opinion from February 2008, during the latter stages of the GOP primary campaign, when just 30% viewed him favorably and 44% expressed an unfavorable opinion.

The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted June 10-14 among 1,502 adults reached on landlines and cell phones, finds that impressions of Sarah Palin have not changed much since the presidential campaign. Palin continues to be a divisive figure among the general public, with about as many saying they have an unfavorable impression (44%) as a favorable view (45%) of the Alaska governor.

Among Republicans, however, the balance of opinion about Palin is more positive than it is regarding Romney or other leading GOP figures, Newt Gingrich and Michael Steele. More than seven-in-ten Republicans (73%) express a favorable opinion of Palin while just 17% have an unfavorable opinion. Romney, Gingrich and especially Steele are less familiar figures – among the public overall and Republicans – than is Palin. While comparable percentages of Republicans rate Palin and the other Republicans unfavorably, far more view Palin favorably. And Palin continues to be overwhelmingly popular with key parts of the GOP base – white evangelical Republicans (84% favorable) and conservative Republicans (80% favorable).

Romney’s Image Improves Since February 2008, shortly before he abandoned his race for the GOP presidential nomination, opinion of Romney has improved across most political and demographic groups, but the shift has been particularly pronounced among independents. In February 2008, just 29% of independents had a positive impression of Romney while 46% had a negative view. Today, that balance is reversed: 44% view Romney favorably and 25% unfavorably.

Positive opinions among both Democrats and Republicans have increased by eight points since early 2008. Among Republicans, Romney has made identical nine-point gains in favorability among conservative Republicans and moderate and liberal Republicans; currently, 61% of conservative Republicans and 52% of moderate and liberal members of the GOP express positive opinions of Romney.

Romney’s favorable ratings have not changed significantly among white non-Hispanic evangelical Republicans; 54% have a favorable opinion now, compared with 52% in February 2008. Among all other Republicans, by contrast, positive opinions of Romney have increased by 11 points, while negative opinions have fallen considerably (from 31% to 16%).

Sarah Palin Favorability Almost a year after capturing the attention of the political world as John McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin remains a broadly popular figure within the Republican Party, despite receiving mixed reviews from the public as a whole.

Palin received her highest overall favorability rating of 50% in mid-September 2008, shortly after McCain named her as his vice-presidential running mate. At that time just 34% expressed an unfavorable opinion of the Alaska governor, while 16% offered no opinion. But her favorability slipped later in the campaign. In mid-October, more people expressed an unfavorable opinion of Palin (48%) than a favorable opinion (42%). Since the election, public views of Palin have shifted only slightly.

Unlike Romney, Palin’s ratings continue to be much better among conservative Republicans (80%) than among moderates and liberals in the party (62%). And while positive views of Palin have slipped among non-evangelical Republicans (from 77% to 67%), they remain overwhelmingly positive among white evangelical Republicans (84% now, 85% last October).

Notably, as was the case during the election, Palin is rated somewhat better by men than she is by women. About half of men (48%) say their overall opinion of Palin is favorable, while 40% say it is unfavorable. Among women, the picture is reversed: 48% offer an unfavorable view, 41% a favorable one. This difference largely arises from gender differences in party affiliation. For instance, among Republicans, men and women express similar views of Palin (73% favorable).

Palin receives a more favorable rating from those with a high school degree or less (48% favorable, 36% unfavorable) than she does from college graduates (41% favorable, 52% unfavorable). Regionally, she is somewhat better regarded in the South (49% favorable) than she is in the Northeast (39% favorable).

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[yongin]

Palin’s approval ratings are split evenly. Considering the media onslaught, I thought Palin’s approval ratings would be in the high 30s.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Are you high or drunk?

Alaska is the biggest state in the country and it borders two foreign countries. Palin has given speeches on NK's missile threats and she worked with Canada to pass a major pipeline deal. The head of the Pacific Command also met with her, and Gates paid a visit to Alaska about missile defense cuts. She has far more foreign policy experience than all of the other so-called potential Republican candidates combined. Your post is very disingenuous and lacking in facts.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The newbie is a paid troll to try and cast doubt on Palin’s chances.

[Blackacre]

On another thread I referred to the concept that Sarah Palin has to get her ‘ducks in a row’ to orchestrate a successful Presidential campaign and part of that is to bone up or become conversant on various issues. This does not mean that Sarah is stupid or unintelligent.

I agree completely. Being intelligent is necessary, but not enough. She needs a professional organization behind her that will keep her campaign on-message and be able to deflect vicious attacks from a hugely hostile media.

All of her weaknesses can be fixed by hiring the right people to coach her and deal with certain issues.

[Blackacre]

Blah,blah,blah. Fact is that she made the fatal error of allowing herself to be videotaped in an interview ——guess what it was chopped and diced and hashed. Gosh I am shocked she looked bad when the answers were set to different questions.

Fact is, she will be facing just as hostile a media next time around. If she is not ready for them, they'll slime her to oblivion.

It's not fair the Republicans are treated so hostiley by the media, but it's reality.

[Kimberly GG]

“Discuss!”

Neither, thank you very much.

How about we promote FOR A CHANGE, as a prospective candidate, one who does NOT propose ANY AMNESTY OF ANY KIND FOR ANY ILLEGAL ALIENS.

[rintense]

How would she be any worse than the fool we have now?

She wouldn't be. In fact, she has been out in front when its come to national issues, even issuing statements before the President. As governor of a state that is a first strike target, she knows full well the risks posed with Obama's rejection of missile defense. Palin already has more CiC experience than Obama. As for foreign policy, I seriously doubt Sarah would have waiting days before issuing a statement about Iran or North Korea. I guarantee she would have encouraged the rebellion in Iran in the same manner GWB has and would have.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Good question.

[Blackacre]

Compared to whom? Obummer? John F. Kerry? Bill Clinton? Even Ronald Reagan at the time he was elected president?

The media ignores lack of foreign policy experience when it comes to Dems- they never brought it up with Obama. They won't do so with Palin if she runs for President and has not heavily boned up on foreign policy issues.

[Al B.]

Ahhh....a ‘concern’ troll. From the Beltway, perhaps? Thanks.

[the long march]

Which is why it DOES NOT MATTER whether she schools herself in anything. What matters is that her common sense and core values be presented. They did the same thing to Reagan ( over and over and over). IF she speaks her truth, from the heart the American electorate will respond. If it doesn’t head for the hills because life will not last long

[Tennessee Nana]

Where was the respect of TeamROMNEY for Gov. Palin?
______________________________________

ROFLMBO

[mathluv]

Count me as UNfavorable. He is too liberal for me.

[Blackacre]

Alaska is the biggest state in the country and it borders two foreign countries.

Its physical size has little to do with anything. I'm talking about population. I'm not disparaging Alaska or Alaskans by pointing out that it is a State outside of the mainstream of American life, just pointing out facts. And bordering two countries doesn't give its Governor any real foreign policy experience.

Palin has given speeches on NK's missile threats and she worked with Canada to pass a major pipeline deal. The head of the Pacific Command also met with her, and Gates paid a visit to Alaska about missile defense cuts.

Which is exactly the type of things she needs to focus on in the next few years to fatten her foreign policy resume. I think Palin and her team know this is a weak spot for them and they're working on fixing it.

[definitelynotaliberal]

You’re more optimistic than I am, then.

I wonder what Palin will do between 2010 and 2016.

[ejonesie22]

Guess the hiring freeze at Team Romney is over...

[Islander7]

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin visited USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Monday, where she met crew members and thanked them for their service.

Palin accepted the invitation to visit Stennis, which is in the Gulf of Alaska participating in exercise Northern Edge 2009.

“When we saw the invitation come across my desk, we jumped at it,” said Palin. “We said, ‘Yes, whatever it takes, let’s get out there and let’s thank these fine young men and women for serving America on this carrier.’”

The governor’s visit began with an arrested landing in a C-2A Greyhound from the “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30.

Later, Palin visited flight deck control, then donned flight deck safety gear in order to observe flight operations from the flight deck.

Palin saw Sailors and Marines in action when she toured the bridge, primary flight control, the hangar bays and a weapons magazine.

Palin spoke with approximately 400 Stennis crew members in hangar bay two and thanked them for their service. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you,” said Palin. “I love the United States military, and I thank you so much for the choice that you have made to serve something greater than self, to be serving your country and to be bettering our world.”

------------------------------

Romneycare is imploding in Massachusetts.

Besides, Sarah is more of a man than Mitt. She gets my vote.

[Blackacre]

Which is why it DOES NOT MATTER whether she schools herself in anything.

That would basically be walking into the media's trap. They hate her to such an extent that she does not want to give them any rope to hang her with. If she isn't ready for foreign policy questions, the media will pound her.

I'm not all that concerned, though- she's clearly smart enough to learn everything she needs to know to diffuse the foreign policy issue. By 2012 or 2016, she should be fine.

[definitelynotaliberal]

More than that, even, it is clear as day that she feels a duty to the Republic. Plus:
a. she hates to lose.
b. she might just have had it with the hate against her (I hope) and decide to really give them something to hate.

I can see how a confluence of these might impact her, but there’s a whole set of vectors on the other side as well.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Nope, because that’s apples and oranges. There’s a difference between the smears of a hateful media against a truly popular figure vs. the reality of TRULY damaged candidates. Sarah Palin is a rock star in our party, she demonstrates none of the flaws of the other two individuals you cited. Jim Bunning is a good man, but he’s too old and has appeared more and more erratic and senile. KH was too erratic, divisive, and couldn’t run a decent campaign. The FL GOP under Jeb made the Sec of State office appointive because she wasn’t going to be able to win a second term in that job. Quite telling.