The new numbers on Republicans' view of the party's direction contrasts with 2005, when 76 percent said the GOP was headed in the right direction and 23 percent said it was not.

The poll results included a computer-generated tag cloud (a visual representation of words most often mentioned) to illustrate the responses received when Republicans were asked what word or phrase they'd use to describe the party. The biggest word by far was "conservative," followed more distantly in size by "weak," "disorganized," "leaderless" and "Palin."

While 57 percent of Republicans and those leaning Republican give positive marks to GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill, only 7 percent describe themselves as enthusiastic in that view while 50 percent say they are "satisfied." Forty-one percent are dissatisfied.

Sixty percent believe congressional Republicans share their values and 66 percent say they stand up for the party's core values, but 55 percent say that GOP lawmakers on the Hill understand their problems.

There is little difference of opinion, though, when it comes to the Obama administration. By 89 percent to 11 percent, Republicans are negative on what it is doing, with 46 percent describing themselves as not only dissatisfied but "angry." When the general public is asked their views on Obama's policies, it splits with 50 percent dissatisfied and 49 percent satisfied.

Fifty-six percent believe that with Democrats controlling the White House and Congress that Republicans should work with them to get some of their ideas into legislation, while 41 percent believe the party should concentrate on stopping the Democratic agenda. But that sentiment does not apply to health care reform. Seventy-seven percent say the party should try to stop the changes being proposed while 23 percent favor working with Democrats.

On the question that has been roiling the party ever since conservative Republicans and activists knocked a Republican candidate out of an upstate New York House race, 69 percent said it was "OK" for their candidates to take moderate positions on some issues while 27 percent said they should take only conservative ones.

When it comes to who Republicans think best represents the party's core values, Sarah Palin leads with 18 percent followed by John McCain at 13 percent, Mike Huckabee at 7 percent, Mitt Romney at 6 percent, Newt Gingrich at 4 percent, Rush Limbaugh at 2 percent and all others at 1 percent or less.

Asked who they would back if the 2012 GOP primary were held today, 17 percent chose Palin, 10 percent picked Mike Huckabee (who said yesterday it was "less likely rather than more likely" he'd run again), 9 percent favored Romney, 7 percent said McCain and all others were at 2 percent or less.

Forty-six percent believe Palin has had a good effect on the party, 32 percent say she hasn't made a difference and 20 percent believe she's had a bad effect. Eighty-seven percent say the news media have treated her unfairly.

Nearly three-quarters of Republicans say they regularly or sometimes watch Fox News, with 46 percent of those being regular viewers. Thirty-two percent watch MSNBC. Forty-three percent watch or listen to Glenn Beck and 31 percent listen to Rush Limbaugh on the radio.