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Palin Approval Runs Along Partisan Lines

Poll: VP pick creates sharp divides, making overall impact a wash

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 5, 2008 1:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – About half of the public had a favorable first impression of vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, and that half consists primarily of Republicans, a new ABC News poll finds. This not-so-shocking divide mirrors the numbers on Joe Biden: his candidacy makes 22% of people more likely to support the Obama ticket and 10% less likely.

McCain's choice inspired increased confidence in 80% of Republicans and 44% of independents, while 59% of Democrats report less confidence in the senator's ability to make important decisions. Men are more confident than women (46% to 39%) that Palin has enough experience to be president, with a wider gap on the question of whether the media have treated her fairly—46% of women say yes, to 55% of men.

Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has fired up her GOP base, but had an equal and opposite effect on Democrats.
Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has fired up her GOP base, but had an equal and opposite effect on Democrats.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., speaks to a group of supporters at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Va., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.
Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., speaks to a group of supporters at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Va., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gary C. Knapp)
Joe Biden's pick found more support in the Democratic camp than among the Republicans, as could have been expected.
Joe Biden's pick found more support in the Democratic camp than among the Republicans, as could have been expected.   (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Republican presidential nominee John McCain is joined by his his running mate, Sarah Palin, after his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention.
Republican presidential nominee John McCain is joined by his his running mate, Sarah Palin, after his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
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Can she win undecideds?
CNN

Republican women strongly in Palin's camp
AFP

By another metric, Palin's approval rating exceeds Obama's--and McCain's
Rasmussen Reports

 
John McCain • Joe Biden • Republican • GOP • poll • experience • confidence • Sarah Palin • vice presidential candidate • opinion polls

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