Do they actually want to win in 2012 or is this too-soon-after-losing-an-election ideology before electability wishful thinking? I’d like to see a poll of why they think they lost.
Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Republican voters say Alaska Governor Sarah Palin helped John McCain’s bid for the presidency, even as news reports surface that some McCain staffers think she was a liability.
Only 20% of GOP voters say Palin hurt the party’s ticket, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Six percent (6%) say she had no impact, and five percent (5%) are undecided.
Ninety-one percent (91%) of Republicans have a favorable view of Palin, including 65% who say their view is Very Favorable. Only eight percent (8%) have an unfavorable view of her, including three percent (3%) Very Unfavorable.
When asked to choose among some of the GOP’s top names for their choice for the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, 64% say Palin. The next closest contenders are two former governors and unsuccessful challengers for the presidential nomination this year — Mike Huckabee of Arkansas with 12% support and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts with 11%.
While Palin might have energized the base, she turned off the backers. When the intellectuals like Patty Noonan, Christopher Buckley, and Powell deserted criticized her out loud, you just know there is a problem.
Sure she might have a huge advantage for 2012, the Presidential race is mostly a popularity contest. BUT, part of the popularity contest is convincing the population you are the best candidate.