Governor Palin sustaining statewide approval numbers of 80% to 93% as determined by multiple polling groups proved that she is a unifying leader.True...not disputing this polling data...from AL...from May of 07 (93%) to June of 09 (56%). A drop of 37% in her "approval" rating...thos still impressive. At the end....a "unifier"??? Well, certainly for 56% of those who responded to the poll.
Polarizing figures do not win elections with 76% or govern an entire state with 85% and 93% approval and become the most popular Governor in America, and probably the most popular official in America.Sure they do!!! 76% FOR means there are 24% AGAINST. And as noted above, the approval ratings went DOWN in her second term. As to the assertion that she was "probably" the most popular official in America is both unfounded opinion, personal feeling, and unsubstantiated by fact. But I'll grant you this...by 2009, Mrs. Palin was certainly one of the most recognized ex-officials in America.
Governor Palin has never governed at the National level, so we can only look at her past offices to see the effect that she has as an executive office holder.Yup...no dispute, but a qualification. Add these words to your last sentence..."has as an executive office holder in Alaska.
I’m not aware of any Governor who has been more unifying IN ALASKA and held such high poll numbers statewide.True...and also completely irrelevant...as it pertains to the present day US national political scene.
Mitt Romney is a devisive figure, and his Governorship proved that when he governed with approval numbers mostly in the 40s. Is that what this is all about??? That Mrs. Palin is a better choice than Romney??? Well Duhhhh! Ya think!!???? If - and I hope it is a huge IF, romney wins the republican nomination, I will hold my nose, close my eyes, and vote for him. But that is only if he should win the nomination. Do I support him or believe in his political stance?? NO. Emphatically NO!
Once again, you and I are down to bedrock. Both Mrs. Palin and romney are prominent figures on the political stage. One has announced their candidacy; the other not. And while romney may or may not be "devisive"...he is so "beige"; so wishy-washy, that even his devisiveness is weak.
Mrs. Palin, on the other hand, is crystal clear in her politics, morals, stands, and agenda. Those kinds of political figures tend to be polarizing if for no other reason that the voter must make a choice. There is no "middle ground" with Mrs. Palin...and there shouldn't be. Therefore, one must choose to be on her side...or dead set against her.
Once again....that is called polarization. Plain and simple. And in this particular case, that is not at all a bad thing.
LOL, polarizing figures do not win with astounding majorities like 76%, to try to denigrate that is to be foolish, and I have no idea what her "second term" as governor was.
After the media went after her, and after Palin came to represent the national Republican party and national conservatism, Palin left office with a very high, 56% approval.
Rick Perry would love to keep approval numbers in the 56% range among his state's voters.
The Most Popular Governor
Alaska's Sarah Palin is the GOP's newest star.
Jul 16, 2007, Vol. 12, No. 41 • By FRED BARNES The Weekly Standard
"The wipeout in the 2006 election left Republicans in such a state of dejection that they've overlooked the one shining victory in which a Republican star was born. The triumph came in Alaska where Sarah Palin, a politician of eye-popping integrity, was elected governor. She is now the most popular governor in America, with an approval rating in the 90s, and probably the most popular public official in any state."
Palin has always been a unifying, non-polarizing figure in office, neither Palin, nor Perry has been in national office so we have to use their past effect on their constituents to judge them as polarizing, Perry winning reelection with 39% after his first term, seems to reveal a polarizing figure.