Palin Polarizing

From Gallup:

Over three-quarters of Republicans would like to see the former vice-presidential nominee and current governor of Alaska become a major national political figure in the years ahead, in sharp contrast to the 43% of independents and 20% of Democrats who share that attitude.

...

Palin's post-election media appearances certainly fuel speculation that she is interested in playing a major role on the national political scene in the years ahead, perhaps by running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 or 2016, or for the U.S. Senate from Alaska. The data reviewed above, from the Nov. 7-9 USA Today/Gallup poll, suggest that she has a way to go to convince the average American that her presence would be a positive addition to the crowded political landscape.

Certainly one of the most prevalent reactions to Palin's run as vice-presidential nominee was her appeal to base Republican voters, a conclusion that is reinforced by the current data showing that 76% of her fellow Republicans would like her to be on the national scene in the years ahead. The negative reaction from Democrats is not unexpected, but the tepid reaction from independent voters might give Palin pause as she contemplates her future.

So here are the rock solid conclusions I can make from this.

- The stink of the McCain campaign is going to wear quickly off of her and indeed is already doing so.

- Republicans who attack her are doing so at their own risk if they want to maintain any kind of popularity with their own base.

- The split down the middle with independents is not unexpected considering how fiercely she was attacked. And it says nothing to compare her with Biden, since everyone pretty much left Biden alone.

- As anything predictive of future events, this poll is absolutely worthless. 2012 will come whether or not Sarah Palin is ready. All we now know is that she left the campaign with far, far higher approval ratings than John McCain did. As a foundation for launching a future something-or-other, that's not bad. I mean come on, it's a week after the election and the media is still obsessed. She's getting more interview time than any Republican in eight years.

But I will disagree with Tommy - she needs to stay on as governor and complete one or two successful terms. Alaska needs her, and the quickest way she can prove her critics wrong is by continuing to do a good job as governor. A point she was not shy about making today.