Popularity contests

Seattle Post-Intelligencer blogger Joel Connelly reports that "A bare majority of Americans give thumbs-up to President Obama's job performance, while Democrats and Republican run dead-even in voter preference, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll." If you follow Connelly's link, you will see that a majority of survey respondents approve of the president's handling of terrorism, but disapprove of his handling of health care, the economy, the federal budget deficit, and jobs.

This is not necessarily good news for the extreme right wing that is doing its best to make sure that no real change results from the Obama presidency.

Talking Points Memo says that another poll, also conducted by ABC News/Washington Post, shows that "the amount of people with a favorable view of (Sarah) Palin has dropped to its lowest point ever recorded by the pollster. More than 70% of respondents said she's not qualified to be president." Only 45 percent of conservatives and 37 percent of Republicans consider her qualified for the presidency.