Palin Popularity High Despite Latest News

(CBS)  Sarah Palin insists she's been focusing on one thing -- governing Alaska -- since the presidential election.

But, observes Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman, it's been hard to ignore the negative headlines swirling around her extended family and acquaintances in recent weeks.

Eyebrows were raised when Levi Johnston, the ex-fiancé of Palin's daughter, Bristol, and father of their son, Tripp, told Tyra Banks on Banks' talk show he's "pretty sure" the Alaska governor knew he and Bristol were having sex.

Johnston also admitted, after some prodding by Banks, that he and Bristol only practiced safe sex "most of the time."

He also claims Bristol has been refusing to let him take their baby, Tripp, out alone, a charge flatly denied by the Palin family. A spokesperson calls the claims "flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion of their relationship."

Bristol herself told Fox News abstinence "isn't realistic" for teens.

Word came last month that Bristol and Johnston had broken up.

Another piece of negative news hitting close to home involved the recent arrest on felony burglary charges in Palin's hometown of Wasilla, Alaska of her sister-in-law.

Ted Turcott told Kauffman he was home alone when he heard a stranger enter his home. So he hid in the bathroom with a gun.

"I said, 'Lady, you're in big trouble," ' Turcott recalled for Kauffman. "I kept telling her to sit down and she didn't listen. She was the coolest woman you've ever seen in your life."

Add to the personal drama a political hit from former running mate John McCain, who hedged on endorsing her for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination when given the chance on "Meet he Press" last month, saying he'd "have to see who the candidates are and what the situation is at the time."

Back in December, Levi Johnston's mother was hit with six felony drug charges in Alaska.

So, is all this airing of Palin-related real and alleged dirty laundry drown out her political message?

Pollster Ivan Moore told Kauffman Palin "brought this all on herself by making her kids an issue last year."

But, adds Kauffman, Palins' approval rating is over 60 percent in Alaska, so she's hardly out in the cold among her home state's voters.

[AKelfkin]

In case you have forgotten, we are part of the United States of America. If Korea launches a missle, it could be heading our way. Sarah Palin is our governor and so it's kind of her responsibility to keep us safe. So in the interest of keeping my children safe, I'm very happy that Sarah is doing her job.

[AKelfkin]

I live in Anchorage, AK and wanted to say that we love our governor! Alaska is a wonderful state and we are doing far better than the rest of the country is regarding the recession. Our housing market is doing great and the job market is still holding it's own. I'm an independent as far as politics are concerned but do feel that the Palin's have been brutally abused by the media over the past year and feel that Sarah has done some amazing things for this state and it's people and I for one am grateful for all that she's done. There are so many people that blast her, her family, and even the people of Alaska because they simply don't like or understand how people live up here. LIfe in Alaska is much different than life in New York (I know because I am originally from New York) so don't judge a person or a society until you actually learn more about them. If she ran again, I'd vote for her because I do trust that she'll do the right thing for the people of this country. Thanks for all you do Sarah!

[xpandergt]

This is suppose to be "news"? Why would Sarah Palin's popularity suffer when these events have nothing to do with her directly? Where is the logic? CBS News just like the rest of the media completely ignored every aspect of Obama's past and DIRECT associations during the campaign and still to this day. Has CBS did a story on

1. Barack Obama's Aunt still in the United States even though she is an illegal alien?

2. Barck Obama's half brother George Hussein Onyango Obama being arrested in Kenya on drug possession and that he lives on just $1.00 a month?

3. Barack Obama connections to the run down housing project Grove Parc that Obama had connections with in helping the builder obtain money from the federal government to build it when he was the State Senator in Illinois.

4. CBS News nor the rest of the media covered anything about Obama's two autobiographies "Dreams of my Father" and " The audacity of Hope"

4. CBS News didn't mention anything about Michelle Obama's about the racist content of Michelle Obama's thesis from Princeton.

5. CBS News nor the rest of the media didn't say anything about "OBAMA' ASSOCIATIONS with Louis Farahkan, Otis Moss, Michael Phelgher , Frank Davis

6. CBS News nor the rest of the media didn't cover anything about Trinity United Church of Christ during the campaign

7. CBS News nor the rest of the media covered the screwup of Obama when he said he visited 57 states.

8. CBS News nor the rest of the media didn't mention anything last memorial day when Obama was speaking in New Mexico when he said "TODAY WE PAY RESPECT TO ALONG LINE OF FALLEN HEREOS, I SEE MANY OF YOU ARE IN THE AUDIENCE HERE TODAY".

9. CBS News nor the rest of the media didn't expose Obama lying when he said last year that his "FATHER LIBERATED AUSCHWITZ concentration camp,

I0. Just recently CBS News nor the media didn't cover the anti Obama rally in Turkey nor did they cover a report mocking Obama in BLACK FACE!!!

The media's credibility is toast. As regards to Palin, why don't CBS create the "7 degrees to Sarah Palin"game. It could be something like the Kevin Bacon game. CBS could actually do a story on the frivolous laws suits being filed against Palin in Alaska. I won't hold my breath on that. No wonder the media's ratings are in the tank. The media in this country is no better then state run media in communist and socialist countries. CBS News is a flat out disgrace to journalism, and they should be ashamed of themselves for lying to Americans every day just so they can push their ideological leanings.

[falmouth321]

Gov Sarah Palin puts God, Family and Country First--Now we have tax cheats, Bowing to The Saudi KIng, European Socialism,Biden scolding Israel and military cuts.These are sad and trying times for our country.Why do the people buy into to this far left agenda.
I pray Sarah Palin can comeback just like Ronald Reagan did--From the blue state of Massachusetts I support you Gov !!!!

[unionrodngun]

Maggie Rodriguez showed the depths to which she and CBS will stoop with her hatchet job on Bristol and Sarah Palin this morning. "Do you think you think your break up occurred because she ran for office?" ***? I realize the Early Show is bubble gum journalism but going after her kids 5 months after the election? Especially after B.O. bent over for the G20, called his own country ?Arrogant? and came home with NOTHING he went to accomplish, not to mention when Kim Jong "mentally" Ill successfully launched a ballistic missile he wrung his hands and deferred to the UN. Hope they don't write Korea a mean spirited letter. Oh the Horror!

[ladypirate2]

erasmu s111: I do have a brain and a very good one and an IQ of 129, which is not a genius but is well above average! I just don't agree with you and that is my right as an American citizen!

[ladypirate2]

Livinontheedge: Alaska might not be a sovereign state to you but it IS a state and part of the United States of America and it's citizens are human beings and Americans! There are also some major millitary bases there, especially in the Aleutian Islands and one at Anchorage, that would make prime targets for Korean missiles! Also Alaska is the closest state to North Korea and it's within easy missile range. Sarah Palin has a right to be a little worried about Korean missiles hitting her state!

[ladypirate2]

skyk-2009: You don't even know the meaning of the word failure yet! Just wait until Obama's programs really take effect and you really see what's in them! Then you'll learn the true meaning of the word!

[ladypirate2]

Chapeltepec: You are right, too! I totally agree with you!

[ladypirate2]

algilbreath: You are Right! The media, cbs and abc at least, are no better now than the trashy newspapers that line the checkout stands in supermarkets! When I was a child the news media took a little pride in what they reported and they didn't gossip or smear people or deliberately try to ruin them. They reported news back then and they had integrity but now they don't care! If a polititian isn't a liberal and doesn't agree with them they will actively try to bring them down by any means they can, including smearing and attacking their family! I long for the days of Peter Jennings, Sam Donaldson, and others who actually reported the news and knew the meaning of the word integrity and didn't report trash!