Reagan had high negatives too...it’s no big deal.
Reagan was different. He had a far longer career, as an actor, a leading anti-communist in Hollywood, an elected union leader, a two term governor of a major state, and a commentator and writer. Reagan had even done a stage act in Vegas in the early 60s.
In 1967, Reagan beat Robert Kennedy so badly in a debate over the Viet Nam war that even the national press rated Reagan the clear winner. Reagan also ran for President and lost in 1968 and 1976, which gave him a stock of experience and national contacts.
The result was that when Reagan ran in 1980, he had a potent command of the issues that refuted claims that he was dumb, a well-honed affable public manner that disarmed critics, and a formal speaking style that could be both inspiring and impressive.
Palin, for all her qualities and great promise, is not up to that standard — at least not yet.