Ronald Reagan was at about 25% in 1979. He won the election in 1980 in a landslide. Fox news polls aren’t much better than CBS/USA polls as a rule.
Reagan was losing to George HW Bush due, in part, to the MSM's portrayal of Reagan as a buffoon. The ploy failed. When voters found out Reagan was awesome, they stopped believing the lies. Reagan became a "Teflon President."
Nixon was losing to George Romney in early polls from 1967. At the time Sen. Goldwater, our failed GOP nominee in 64, said he favored Nixon but believed only Sen. Percy of IL could beat incumbent President Johnson. He believed Nixon might be unable to rehabilitate his image as a loser. Nixon had 100% name recognition.
When Palin jumps in it will force people to take another look at her. Gov. Palin polls 3rd among GOP voters now. She has a fantastic fundraising record, and a throng of dedicated Republicans anxious to vote for her. She would have the support of Rush, Hannity, Levin and Fox news...and it's along way to Nov. 2012.
A poll is nice, but doesn't really count for much 14 months before an election. This spring through summer polls in WI showed voters were angry at Gov. Walker, and his rubber stamp GOP SCOTUS, and Legislature. For months rat dollars flooded the state...but when the dust settled, the GOP still owns it all.
Ah reckun we all gonna have us a primary to sort out these here polls.