Heartache: Almost 2 out of 5 Iowa Republicans Don't Like Palin

While it is still very early and no one has even officially declared their candidacy, yet, this is still very telling on where Palin stands, if she decides to take the plunge:

You thought it was too early for the 2012 presidential campaign to start? Worry not -- the Des Moines Register has a poll of the state's Republicans, testing their feelings about potential GOP nominees. They tell us that "62 percent of Republicans who identified themselves as likely to vote in this week's primary election are very or mostly favorable toward [Mitt] Romney. [Sarah] Palin follows, with 58 percent very or mostly favorable about her, with [Newt] Gingrich at 56 percent." Nothing too alarming there -- before the campaign begins, it's mostly about name recognition. However, the story doesn't comment on the unfavorable numbers. Who wins there?

Hands down, it's Palin: 39 percent of Iowa Republicans have an unfavorable view of her. This is somewhat surprising given that Iowa Republicans are a socially conservative bunch, and you'd think they'd be Palin's base.

Since the Iowa Caucus is the first test for presidential hopeful to pass, a poor showing in Iowa could make or break a campaign. This could be a disaster for Palin, if she can't win a socially conservative state like Iowa. Still, we have a long way to go before the Iowa polls open. She has time to turn thing around. I would not be surpeised that, after seeing this poll, she'll be spending a lot more time in the Hawkeye State.

Winner of the Yesterday's Primaries: Sarah Palin

Last night was a very big night for women, specifically Republican women. Even though she wasn't on the ballot anywhere, one woman in particular won the day in a big way for the GOP. The candidates that were endorsed by Sarah Palin faired very well in the primaries:

Some of Sarah Palin’s riskiest endorsements scored major victories Tuesday for the former Alaska governor, showing off her power in Republican primaries. 

Palin had four primary endorsements in play – Carly Fiorina, Nikki Haley, Terry Branstad and Cecile Bledsoe – and three won or moved on to a runoff.

This shows the former governor of Alaska still has a lot of political pull, especially among the conservative base:

Perhaps Palin’s most powerful demonstration came in South Carolina, where her endorsement propelled a major swing in the polls for Haley’s primary campaign for governor and sustained the state representative through accusations of two separate affairs. 

"Her decision to get - and stay - involved in the race here in South Carolina was a huge boon to our campaign, because it caused a lot of South Carolinians to take a second look at a rising in the polls but once-little known state legislator who was fighting to give them back their government,” Haley spokesman Tim Pearson said of Palin.

This will give Palin more confidence that she could make a legitimate run for the White House in 2012, but will the adoration that conservatives have for her translate into votes in 2012, especially from independents? It's too early to tell, but if the candidates are received well and people believe that they have performed well in office on their behalf, then, it could parlay her into people giving her a chance. She has a long way to go to repair her national image after it was damaged during the debacle of her various disastrous interviews during the 2008 election. While it won't completely repair her image, it is a good start.

Rasmussen: 53% Believe Republican Will Be Elected in 2012

After 100 days, America's honeymoon with Pres. Obama is over. They have weighed how Obama and the Democrats have done in power and the verdict is in:

53% Say Next President Likely To Be A Republican For the first time since Barack Obama was elected president last November, more than half of U.S. voters (53%) say it is at least somewhat likely that the next occupant of the White House will be a Republican. Thirty-one percent (31%) say it is Very Likely.

Thirty-five percent (35%) say it is not very or not at all likely, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twelve percent (12%) aren't sure.

That is a stark difference in between the beginning of his term. He has a very difficult first 100 days, and it's continuing to show in the polls. It is still very early, but it must be very disconcerting to Obama to be having such a hard time. If things progress as they have been, Democrats will have a rough mid-term and even tougher time in 2012.

Sarah Looks Ahead to 2012; Rejects 30% Stimulus Money

Palin Rejects Nearly 30 Percent of Stimulus Funds
Alaska governor said Thursday that she would accept only 69 percent of the estimated $930 million dollars in federal stimulus funds that could flow to the state.
AP Friday, March 20, 2009

JUNEAU, Alaska -- It's up to the Alaska Legislature to request hundreds of millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds from the federal government.

Gov. Sarah Palin said Thursday that she would accept only 69 percent of the estimated $930 million dollars that could flow to the state, including $514 million for capital projects and $128 million for a hike in Medicaid reimbursement.

Palin said she would accept money that is "timely, targeted and temporary" and does not create strings that will bind the state in the future.

"I can't attest to every fund that's being offered the state in the stimulus package will be used to create jobs and stimulate the economy, so I'm requesting only those things that I know will," Palin said at a news conference at the Capitol. "Public discussion will have to ensue on all those other dollars that some will say 'you left on the table."'

Some other Republican governors have also announced reservations about accepting the federal money, particularly when it comes to expanding jobless benefits.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry last week announced that he turned down $555 million of federal stimulus funding that would expand the state's unemployment benefits. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has said he would not accept nearly $100 million to expand unemployment benefits. And South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has said he only wants to use the federal money to pay down debt.

Other Republican governors including Charlie Crist of Florida and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California have welcomed the stimulus bounty.

Palin's rejection of $160 million for education drew a rebuke from Anchorage Superintendent of Schools Carol Comeau, who said she was shocked and disappointed.

"We believe that we can make very good use of the funds, not only in job preservation but also in adding new positions to ultimately use these funds to increase student achievement for our neediest children," she said in a news release.

Comeau pointed to money that would have gone into training for special education teachers and additional programs and support for needy preschool children.

The governor has until April 3 to formally request funds from the stimulus package. It's unclear if legislatures are under the same deadline but Alaska lawmakers likely will stick to the same date to be safe.

Overall, Palin rejected almost $288 million and many, such as Senate Finance Committee Co-Chairman Bert Stedman, were surprised.

"I think the Legislature will take a good hard look at the impact on Alaska," said Stedman, a Republican. "The governor might have a broader view."

With so little time left before the April 3 deadline, Stedman expects the Legislature will ask for the full amount, and if they determine later that it would have adverse long-term impacts on the state, to decline it then.

Alaska has been somewhat cushioned from the effects of the global recession, but the state faces a $2.6 billion deficit over this year and next from low oil prices and declining oil production on the North Slope. Oil makes up about 90 percent of state revenues.

Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat, said the governor was breaking with a long tradition in Alaska.

"The state has made its business to get as many federal dollars as possible to help us create an infrastructure and build our state," he said. "I just really think the governor made a mistake here."

Palin on Thursday sent a spending bill to the Legislature laying out funding for capital projects that she is willing to accept, on top of the $262 million transportation stimulus spending bill that is already under debate.

The additional money Palin said she would accept includes $116 million for a University of Alaska Fairbanks research vessel, $68 million for water and sewer projects, $39 million for public housing projects and $21 million for education and job training.

Palin did not request funding for energy efficiency and conservation block grants, an expansion of unemployment insurance eligibility, weatherization money, employment services, among others.

The five-member conservative Republican minority in the Senate supported the governor's decision. Sen. Con Bunde, a Republican, compared the package to having too much to drink."

A good time may be had by all, but the hangover the next day, and the consequences of what you did while you were drunk, may be with you for a long, long time," Bunde said.

Palin said she was acting in the best interests of Alaskans but Democratic Rep. Les Gara questioned the motives of the former Republican vice presidential candidate.

"I read it that she's going to be running for national office and has a campaign position that unfortunately conflicts with the state's interests," he said.

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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/20/palin-rejects-nearly-percent-stimulus-funds/
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My Thoughts

Good for her. As ALLAHPUNDIT said, "She’s up for re-election next year and this move won’t do her any favors inside the state, so I can only assume it’s a sign that she’s keeping her options open for 2012." I believe that in the end she is doing the right thing for Alaska by not increasing their dependence on federal money.