Sept. 3, 2008

CBS Poll: Palin Remains Unknown Quantity

Before Crucial Convention Speech, Most Voters Have No Opinion Of McCain's VP Pick

  • Play CBS Video Video Palin Prepares For Prime Time

    Sarah Palin is preparing for her prime time address at the Republican National Convention. Will she talk policy or address the questions that have arisen about her? Maggie Rodriguez reports.

  • Video Palin, Politics And Pregnancy

    Governor Sarah Palin is a hot topic for many women. The question is whether a mother of five can be an effective vice president. Maggie Rodriguez leads a discussion on the subject.

  • Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, left, smiles after introducing his Vice Presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in Dayton, Ohio., Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. Photo

    Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, left, smiles after introducing his Vice Presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in Dayton, Ohio., Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.  (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

  • Timeline Palin's Path

    A look at Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's life and career

  • Photo Essay Sarah Palin

    Alaska's youngest and first female governor tabbed to be McCain's running mate.

(CBS)  Even after Sen. John McCain named her as his running mate on Friday, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin remained an unknown quantity to most Americans. Sixty-six percent had no opinion of her in a CBS News poll conducted over the weekend. In polling completed on Monday and Tuesday, sixty percent still had no opinion about her.

But of those who did have opinions, 26 percent of the most recently polled were favorable, while only 13 percent were not favorable.

More than one in four voters said that the vice presidential choices will matter this year, but few voters say that having Palin on the Republican ticket will change their vote. Just 14 percent said they are more likely to vote for McCain as a result of having Palin on the ticket, while 13 percent said they are less likely to do so. Sixty-eight percent said it won’t make a difference in their vote.

Seventy-four percent of voters said the addition of Joe Biden to the Democratic ticket made no impact on how they will vote. But those who said Barack Obama's choice mattered to them were three times as likely to say that Biden will make them vote for Obama rather than against him.

Read The Complete Poll




This poll was conducted among a random sample of 613 adults nationwide, including 540 registered voters, interviewed by telephone September 1-2, 2008. Phone numbers were dialed from RDD samples of both standard land-lines and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points; for registered voters the sampling error could be plus or minus four percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

©MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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by norcalruss September 3, 2008 6:47 PM PDT
Jolly good choice for Veep John Boy! You have now removed all doubt about whether you are senile. Palin = Dan Quayle in-a-dress. McSame accused Obama of being a celebrity like Brittany Spears or Paris Hilton. Now that he has picked the Beauty Queen Bimbo from Mooseville, there goes both his celebrity argument, AND his experience argument. What a way for a 72 Y/O man to reassure the public. Maybe he thought he was hiring a nurse!
Reply to this comment
by oneamerican_ September 3, 2008 6:52 PM PDT
John McCain''s pick of Sarah Palin has exposed the Liberals for the sexist, partisan, do-nothings that they truly are.

I believe that American women have had enough of the Liberal mantra, and are going to abandon the Democrat Party en masse after they hear what Sarah Palin has to say.
Reply to this comment
by lilvinnyb September 3, 2008 6:53 PM PDT
Alaska population 2006 - 670,000. Vermont 620,000. Ha ha. Palin was executive of a larger state than Howard Dean. No wonder why hes silent on the issue.
Reply to this comment
by jeffstersf September 3, 2008 6:54 PM PDT
yeah and the morons just put out a silly campaign ad contrasting Palin and Obama. Lies contrasting the #2 slot on one ticket to the #1 candidate to the other. Never been done before, nor shall it be again.
Reply to this comment
by shouterguy September 3, 2008 6:54 PM PDT
So let%u2019s see...so far in the G.O.P. Convention...

Lieberman lies about Barack Obama

Romney smears Michelle Obama

Fred Thompson smears Barack Obama

McCain threatens to sue the National Enquirer over what has clearly become a National Enquirer sort of presidential ticket.

Sarah Palin hides.

Wow. Great start, guys. Wake me when it%u2019s over.
Reply to this comment
by jeffstersf September 3, 2008 6:55 PM PDT
Oh jees, not oneamerican. You are always so nauseating. Outta here.
Reply to this comment
by warmonger247 September 3, 2008 6:57 PM PDT
United States sent troops to fight in the Iraq war on a -task that is from God.- Palin

has this chick lost her mind?
Reply to this comment
by moneymcbush September 3, 2008 6:58 PM PDT
Who cares what the crazy lady has to say, they wont be her own thoughts. Shes as hollow as a chocolate Easter Rabbit.
Maybe she will tell us why she thinks Alaska should break away from the US?
Maybe she will tell us about her wealth of experience in keeping moose droppings off the sidewalks of Wasilla...

Shes a total flop.
A garbage pick from a lame candidate.
Reply to this comment
by shouterguy September 3, 2008 6:58 PM PDT
Battle Ground States Trending To Obama

Leads by 15 points in Iowa, 12 points in Minnesota


In a CNN/Time/Opinion Research Corp. survey out Wednesday afternoon, 55 percent of Iowa registered voters who were questioned said that Obama, D-Illinois, is their choice for president, with 40 percent backing McCain, R-Arizona. That''s more than double the lead Obama had in a University of Iowa poll taken early last month.
"Obama is winning in all regions of the state -- even in the western counties where George W. Bush beat John Kerry by 17 points," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Obama is winning rural voters in Iowa -- not something you see in many other states."
It appears to be a similar story in Minnesota, where the Republicans are holding their national convention this week.
The poll indicates that Obama has a 12-point lead over McCain, 53 percent to 41 percent.
That''s up slightly from a 10-point lead Obama held in a Humphrey Institute survey taken last month.
Reply to this comment
by lovegetpeace September 3, 2008 6:59 PM PDT
According to the some diehard Republicans, McCain pick Sarah to energize the Conservative Base of the party. However, they say that base is much smaller now than 4 and 8 years ago. This is very poor judgement. Also, McCain is attempting to use the same trick that Bush used. In other words, McSame again.
Reply to this comment
by ljb6599 September 3, 2008 6:59 PM PDT
When you are running to be president or vice president or vice president your life is an open book!Just ask Barak or Hillary.
Reply to this comment
by book54552134 September 3, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
Palin is under criminal investigation for her involvement in corruption in Alaska State government.

Just the fact that Palin is under criminal investigation should have caused McCain to pass her by. His endearment to her & her twisted sense of judgement calls into question McCain''s ability to render decent judgements.

Perhaps that trooper deserved to be dismissed from his position - perhaps not. The point is that there are proper procedures in place to ensure that justice is done for all involved. Palin chose to bypass that process. That was very wrong & it may have been illegal.

This is a creepy woman & McCain''s endearment toward her calls into question, McCain''s ability to make decent decisions.
Reply to this comment
by shouterguy September 3, 2008 7:02 PM PDT
Battle Ground States Trending To Obama

Leads by 15 points in Iowa, 12 points in Minnesota


In a CNN/Time/Opinion Research Corp. survey out Wednesday afternoon, 55 percent of Iowa registered voters who were questioned said that Obama, D-Illinois, is their choice for president, with 40 percent backing McCain, R-Arizona. That''s more than double the lead Obama had in a University of Iowa poll taken early last month.

"Obama is winning in all regions of the state -- even in the western counties where George W. Bush beat John Kerry by 17 points," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Obama is winning rural voters in Iowa -- not something you see in many other states."
It appears to be a similar story in Minnesota, where the Republicans are holding their national convention this week.

The poll indicates that Obama has a 12-point lead over McCain, 53 percent to 41 percent.
That''s up slightly from a 10-point lead Obama held in a Humphrey Institute survey taken last month.

Reply to this comment
by causeway_q September 3, 2008 7:04 PM PDT
After the attacks by the ''Pukes on Michelle Obama and on Chelsea clinton, Sarah Praline, her pregnant whale and the rest of her redneck trailer trash family (icluding that drunken secessionist husband of hers) are legitimate targets
Reply to this comment
by shouterguy September 3, 2008 7:04 PM PDT
So let%u2019s see...so far in the G.O.P. Convention...

Lieberman lies about Barack Obama

Romney smears Michelle Obama

Fred Thompson smears Barack Obama

A G.O.P. hack calls the Obama girls an unprintable name

McCain threatens to sue the National Enquirer over what has clearly become a National Enquirer sort of presidential ticket.

Sarah Palin hides.

Wow. Great start, guys.


Maybe that explains this:

Battle Ground States Trending To Obama

Leads by 15 points in Iowa, 12 points in Minnesota

Reply to this comment
by causeway_q September 3, 2008 7:05 PM PDT
Shes a total flop.
A garbage pick from a lame candidate.


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Posted by MoneyMcBush at 06:58 PM : Sep 03, 2008"

Well she comes from a garbage dump of a stste so what else could be expected
Reply to this comment
by moneymcbush September 3, 2008 7:06 PM PDT
Just because McCain spent most of his career focused fighting the MLK holiday doesnt mean hes a racist; well actually it probably does.


I hope Mitt Romney lets her wear his magic underpants for her speech, just for good luck.
Reply to this comment
by lovegetpeace September 3, 2008 7:06 PM PDT
According to the some diehard Republicans, McCain pick Sarah to energize the Conservative Base of the party. However, they say this base is much smaller now than 4 and 8 years ago. This is very poor judgement. Also, McCain is attempting to use the same trick that Bush used. In other words, McBush or McSame again.
Reply to this comment
by lovegetpeace September 3, 2008 7:07 PM PDT
Folks,

Speaking before the Pentecostal church, Palin painted the current war in Iraq as a messianic affair in which the United States could act out the will of the Lord.

%u201CPray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,%u201D she exhorted the congregants. %u201CThat%u2019s what we have to make sure that we%u2019re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God%u2019s plan.%u201D

Religion, however, was not strictly a thread in Palin%u2019s foreign policy. It was part of her energy proposals as well. Just prior to discussing Iraq, Alaska%u2019s governor asked the audience to pray for another matter %u2014 a $30 billion national gas pipeline project that she wanted built in the state. %u201CI think God%u2019s will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that,%u201D she said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG1vPYbRB7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k84m2orSOaM

ALL THE LIBERALS NOW ADORE MCCAIN!!!
Reply to this comment
by norcalruss September 3, 2008 7:09 PM PDT
Top Ten Reasons that Sarah Palin is Not Dan Quayle

10. Bush Senior picked Quayle; Bush Light picked Palin

9. Quayle likes Happy meals; Palin %u2013 Mooseburgers

8. Sarah is spelled with 5 letters and two syllables. Dan has one syllable and 3 letters. He didn%u2019t look too bright as a baby either so his parents gave him a name he could spell.

7. Sarah Palin looks good in a dress. Quayle %u2026.I don%u2019t think so

6. Palin doesn%u2019t live in the Lower 48; Quayle can not find the Lower 48 on a map

5. Sarah Palin knows what Canadian Mounties are and has done a few. Quayle thinks the Canadian Mounties are a mountain range in Canada

4. Dan Quayle is soon to become an old man. Sarah Palin is what every old man wants: A Beauty Queen Bimbo

3. Dan Quayle is a looser from the state of the Hoosier. Sarah Palin has a fine @ss and is from the state of the Aurora Borealis

2. The school that Palin attended actually taught her how to spell potato since it was in Idaho; Quayle %u2026%u2026%u2026Well he still thinks there is an %u2018E%u2019 on the end

1. Quail is a meal sometimes served under glass. Palin has most certainly been eaten by someone, and wants to break the glass ceiling.
Reply to this comment
by tapsettle September 3, 2008 7:10 PM PDT
Never underestimate the lengths neocons will transcend to get power. Another war, another 9-11 ... all options will be on their table. Did you know that nearly twice as many died in hurricane Katrina as did 9-11? That''s because neocons had nothing to do with Katrina, other than not making much of a rescue effort for the non-GOP electorate around New Orleans.
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 September 3, 2008 7:15 PM PDT
Posted by johnny302 at 07:11 PM

I wonder if America will know that mother revealed details about her daughter''s private life to the media for political expediency?
Reply to this comment
by mcvet-1 September 3, 2008 7:15 PM PDT
Oops bad news all you swastika huggers. It appears American''s have made their minds up and this fascist cow isn''t going to change that no matter how "Nice" she plays!! I honestly think McSame hasn''t a chance as long as he continues to follow the "Trickle Down" Economic Plan... It''s a failure and EVERY ONE know it. Sieg Heil McSame
Reply to this comment
by vietnam21 September 3, 2008 7:15 PM PDT
Want to bet she will be the next vice president? She is going to get enough Hillary voters to win. By the way, I just read on CNN that millions of women are very upset and angry over the way Palin is being treated. One thing for sure, she has more executive experience than Obama as a Governor who cleaned up all the corruption in Alaska.
Reply to this comment
by dashortround September 3, 2008 7:17 PM PDT

The only thing Palin can say that will reassure me is that she realizes she''s truly not ready for a VP slot.

Having served only 20 months in her first-ever State-level office is not adequate experience for a VP.

She only got her very first US Passport last year - until then she hadn''t even been out of the US before.

No way, no how, no Sarah!

Reply to this comment
by tapsettle September 3, 2008 7:17 PM PDT
GOVERNOR PALIN IS SMART AND TOUGH..AND VERY REAL, AND AMERICA WILL LOVE HER.
-----
Posted by johnny302

Sounds a bit like that bugs bunny cartoon eh? " ... and I will love her and I will kiss her and I will hug her ...."
Reply to this comment
by shouterguy September 3, 2008 7:17 PM PDT
I believe the GOP handlers have prepped the convention-goers well enough.

Their expectations have been lowered to the point that, should Sarah Palin do anything other than open her mouth and vomit on her shoes, she will be pronounced the greatest Republican orator since Lincoln.
Reply to this comment
by tapsettle September 3, 2008 7:20 PM PDT
By the way, I just read on CNN that millions of women are very upset and angry over the way Palin is being treated.
-----
Posted by vietnam21

It''s not as if she is being waterboarded eh?
Reply to this comment
by vietnam21 September 3, 2008 7:20 PM PDT
Palin has run a company, a town and a state. Obama has run for office, and thats about it. Even when in office, he is just "Present" for voting sessions. Sarah Palin has been under fire since day 1, taking on the establishment, including the Republicans in her own state! Palin has more experience just as mayor of Wasilla, than Obama has in all his years of scamming the public services..
Reply to this comment
by September 3, 2008 7:20 PM PDT
The Republicans have had time to coach Palin, write her speech, hone her delivery, manicure her nails, and make sure she is dressed like a precious little soccor mom. The fact that she is embroiled in scandals, has mislead everyone about accepting earmarks, doesn''t know what the vice president does, or has been a member of a sessionist organization in Alaska should have told Americans enough about this disastrous VP pick. She may have been unknown on Friday, but we know plenty about her now!
Reply to this comment
by republic1776 September 3, 2008 7:20 PM PDT
She was not making 5 million a year like Obama.
She is poor Obama is rich!
She has enough ball to kill her own food.
Obama makes reservations, or speeches!
Reply to this comment
by mcvet-1 September 3, 2008 7:21 PM PDT
GOVERNOR PALIN WILL MAKE A TERRIFIC VICE PRESIDENT.

PEOPLE WILL GET TO KNOW HER AFTER HER APPEARANCE AND SPEECH TONIGHT AT THE CONVENTION.

GOVERNOR PALIN IS SMART AND TOUGH..AND VERY REAL, AND AMERICA WILL LOVE HER.

Posted by johnny302 at 07:11 PM : Sep 03, 2008

Uh Huh? That''s why she''s been hiden away for two days trying to get her act together. I wonder if she will be given two days if the OLD LOSER McSame croak''s? Look America we have an Economic Mess the likes of which we have not seen since the Great Depression and all the Fascist have done is run away from each other. Now McSame and The Fascist Princess want to reform Washington. LOL They never mention that the Washington they want to reform was run by THEIR Party so in effect they want to reform THEIR party. I have a suggestion. How about WE reform the Republican''s right out of town. The she and McSame can reform that bunch of Incompetent Misfits on THEIR time and THEIR dime. We can''t afford 4 more years of the incompetence that took us from a balanced budget to record debt!! This loser McSame doesn''t have a plan to even LOWER that debt, instead choosing to ADD to it! It''s insane!!
Reply to this comment
by actiscenei September 3, 2008 7:22 PM PDT
One thing for sure, she has more executive experience than Obama as a Governor who cleaned up all the corruption in Alaska.

Posted by vietnam21 at 07:15 PM : Sep 03, 2008

Oh, brother, this again?


Palin has more executive experience than McCain, Fred Thompson, Trent Lott, Tom deLay, Joe Lieberman, and Ron Paul put together.

Come to think of it, those six politicians togethre don''t have any more experience than Obama.

Makes you wonder how impressed the world will be with her "executive experience."
Reply to this comment
by barryisdun September 3, 2008 7:22 PM PDT
It''s pretty sad when a little housewife from Alaska is beating the cr*p out of the Messiah and the |ber used car salesman.

hahaha! Why''s McCain answering questions about Palin at all, when ObombA Barry bin Hussein can''t even answer questions about himself?
Reply to this comment
by helloall34 September 3, 2008 7:22 PM PDT
The article reads: "Sixty-six percent had no opinion of her in a CBS News poll conducted over the weekend."

That is scary... Who are these 66% who don''t go investigate for themselves, very scary!
Reply to this comment
by thisandthat1 September 3, 2008 7:24 PM PDT
McCain should dump her as soon as possible and pick someone else while he still can.
Reply to this comment
by barryisdun September 3, 2008 7:24 PM PDT
OLD LOSER McSame

Posted by MCVet-1 at 07:21 PM : Sep 03, 2008

MCFarts, you f*cking racist POS!
Reply to this comment
by helloall34 September 3, 2008 7:25 PM PDT
Gov Palin was a pawn selected for entirely political reasons. She is a hunter (NRA), from Alaska (drilling), husband works for the oil company (drilling, big oil), son in Iraq (don''t bad mouth the war), downs syndrome child (pro life). Even her inexperience is a political tactic (you take out our #2 we take out your #1). She has less the 2 years experience as governor of the 3rd smallest state in the country (smaller population then many fairly small cities in this country). In the less than 2 years as governor she is already caught up in some stupid scandal in her state house. Before that she was on the city council and mayor of a town with 5000 people. It is certainly not her education that makes her a good candidate for leader of the free world (she has a BA in Journalism for the U of Idaho). This pick was completely inappropriate. Too many people are so caught up in party politics and to see how inappropriate this pick is!

The country needs a great leader. Great leaders don''t do the work, they motivate others to believe they are great and they help them accomplish great things. They give people hope. We need an intelligent leader who gives people hope (because hope running thin). Please step back, think for yourself, and stop destroying our country.
Reply to this comment
by barryisdun September 3, 2008 7:25 PM PDT

Palin has more executive experience than McCain, Fred Thompson, Trent Lott, Tom deLay, Joe Lieberman, and Ron Paul put together.

Come to think of it, those six politicians togethre don''''t have any more experience than Obama.

Makes you wonder how impressed the world will be with her "executive experience."


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Posted by actiscenei at 07:22 PM : Sep 03, 2008

If you only had a clue as to what you are talking about.
Reply to this comment
by mcvet-1 September 3, 2008 7:26 PM PDT
Palin has run a company, a town and a state. Obama has run for office, and thats about it. Even when in office, he is just "Present" for voting sessions. Sarah Palin has been under fire since day 1, taking on the establishment, including the Republicans in her own state! Palin has more experience just as mayor of Wasilla, than Obama has in all his years of scamming the public services..

Posted by vietnam21 at 07:20 PM : Sep 03, 2008

That''s nice! I live in Chicago and Sparky what Obama did here in this city when things were not just bad but a living hell on earth will dwarft anything the Fascist Princess has ever done. He had a chance to work for some of the most powerful on Wall Street for BIG bucks. Now you don''t get offers like that unless you KNOW economics. But instead he brought his abilities home... home to a community and town where TWO of the Biggest Steel Companies in the WORLD just shut down, throwing THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS out of work. HE rolled up his sleeve and sat down with the people. HE, according to the City Counsel of Chicago, single handed was the MAJOR reason that that community survived. Now with the MILLIONs and MILLIONS of American''s who find themselves in that EXACT same condition today because of Trickle Down, he is EXACTLY what we need. If we do NOT turn around the falling Standard of Living in this nation we will most certainly fall out of the G-7, which we are at the bottom of as I speak. WE HAVE GOT TO CHANGE COURSE or we DIE!! Sieg Heil McSame
Reply to this comment
by vietnam21 September 3, 2008 7:27 PM PDT
The Democrats are going to lose the election because they''re the party of immaturity. The liberal congress has an approval rating of 9%. The liberal Dubya has an approval rating of 28%. Obama''s right. It *is* time for a change. Problem is, Obama represents the problem(s).
Reply to this comment
by nishaboston September 3, 2008 7:27 PM PDT
republic1776 your comparing her to Obama how about comparing her to Biden instead he is the Vice president and so is she. Also what about McCain he owns so many houses he can''t even keep count. Sick of you hypocrites.
Reply to this comment
by tapsettle September 3, 2008 7:27 PM PDT
GOVERNOR PALIN IS SMART AND TOUGH..AND VERY REAL, AND AMERICA WILL LOVE HER.

GO SARAH!
-----
Posted by johnny302

Shouldn''t you be getting ready for school?
Reply to this comment
by mr2258 September 3, 2008 7:28 PM PDT
GOD save us from the tyranny of the likes of Barack Obamma.
Reply to this comment
by rkkirch September 3, 2008 7:28 PM PDT
Has Obama been put up to the same scrutiny? I think not, he has less experience, more association with individuals who advocate against the US and yet Obama is given a free ride.
Why???
Reply to this comment
by shouterguy September 3, 2008 7:28 PM PDT

Battle Ground States Trending To Obama

Obama leads by 15 points in Iowa, 12 points in Minnesota

Reply to this comment
by mcvet-1 September 3, 2008 7:28 PM PDT
MCFarts, you f*cking racist POS!

Posted by BarryIsDun at 07:24 PM : Sep 03, 2008


You know you 6th grade drop outs are so embarrassing!! Take a night course or two. That way you can read the ENTIRE post and UNDERSTAND what is being said. Now lets stand... Shooter is listening and if you do this right he might give you a confederate flag pin for being a good bootlicker!! READY?? Sieg Heil McBush! Thatta boy
Reply to this comment
by vietnam21 September 3, 2008 7:28 PM PDT
The Russians have not crossed the Bering Strait to invade Alaska since Palin became Governor.
Reply to this comment
by barryisdun September 3, 2008 7:28 PM PDT
Sieg Heil McSame


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Posted by MCVet-1 at 07:26 PM : Sep 03, 2008

This is the summary of MCFarts EVERY post. No brains, no though, just sh*t. What a racist POS! Maybe you SHOULD have joined the military MCFarts.
Reply to this comment
by moneymcbush September 3, 2008 7:28 PM PDT
Times Joe Klein sums this vp up nicely:


"Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is "a task from God."


Add to that shes an Alaska Secessionist and wants to force creationism on everyone and its a simple equation:


McCain + Palin = Failure
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