NBC/WSJ poll: Doubts about Palin

Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:00 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Joe Biden, Sarah Palin

From NBC's Mark Murray
The new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll will be released at 6:30 pm ET, but here's an early look at one set of numbers:

Forty-nine percent say that Palin is unqualified to be president if the need arises, compared with 40 percent who say she's qualified.

By contrast, 64 percent believe Biden is qualified to be president, versus just 21 percent who disagree.

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Comments

The MSM does nothing but lie about Palin and trash her for 3 weeks straight, then they take a poll and are some how surprised to find that people have negative feelings about her. Face it, the MSM is never going to let a woman be in control of the country. We saw the media destroy Hillary. Now we're seeing the same with Palin.

Linda Grant, Harding, PA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:05 PM)

For me it isn't her qualificaitons.... Its what her beliefs and values that scare me.

milli Bell, FL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:05 PM)

40 percent say she's qualified? OMG- what's WRONG with people in this country??

Buzz (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:06 PM)

Well surprise, surprise......

Cre, Vallejo (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:07 PM)

Good to see sexism is alive in well in the United States. That gaffe machine Bisen is qualified to be President? A good debate to look forward to wouldn't be the one between Palin and Biden, but the one between Obama and Biden. They seem to disagree on everything lately.

Moe S, Springfield (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:08 PM)

FINALLY!! Palin is not fit to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency!! Can't believe it took this long for this to become apparent to folks.

Mary Fiori (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:08 PM)

It is becoming more clear with each day that Palin's ambitions far exceed her talents - she is not the real news in this story however. John McCain's judgement is the real issue and his first decision as would be president shows a glaring lack of prudence and concern for "Country First".
Sarah Palin is an unfortunate selection for all Americans.

Questioning judgement????? (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:08 PM)

Why don't you ask the 60000 that showed up to see her the other day in FLD?

Annie Moyer, Scottsdale AZ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:09 PM)

Maybe it is because Palin is running to bring Christ to our schools and government. Here is explicit proof:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/the-witch-hunter-anoints_b_128805.html

Jan, Chapel Hill, NC (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:09 PM)

49%, huh? Try arguing with THAT number, Rick Davis. Even if it's just a ballpark number, even the margin of error won't help.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:09 PM)

Smart voters know that Palin is only a window dressing sort of thing, and that, despite professing to be deeply religious, she can only tell untruths for political purposes.
Enough of Palin-lying and McLying. Sure, Obama did lie a bit, but Palin is rally a DNA copy of Bush.

white guy in S.C. (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:09 PM)

How many think SHE IS QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT ??

I've got a Beautiful Bridge to Nowhere to sell them

You can't live without it, Republicans !!

DON'T EAT THE YELLOW SNOW !!

Msierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:10 PM)

40% think she is qualified. R U kidding me.

val crystal lake,ILL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:10 PM)

"Forty-nine percent say that Palin is unqualified to be president if the need arises, compared with 40 percent who say she's qualified."
=====================================================

DUHHHHH! AS IF!!! Actually, this percentage should be higher. It's really scary to think that 40% think she's qualified.

OBAMA/BIDEN, 2008!

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:10 PM)

Why am I not surprised by this?

And it will only get worse for McCain/Palin, especially if she doesn't face the press, appear on Sunday talk shows, answers questions from all Americans.

And we haven't even had the debates yet.

Finally . . . finally, the truth is coming out!

Tom Kaye (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:11 PM)

It's a sad day in America when 40% feel she is ready to be the most powerful person in the world. What are these people smoking? And can I have some?

"I can see russia from my house?" That gives her foreign policy experience. Are you kidding me?

Not to mention her extremist tendencies and carrying out of personal vendettas.

Frankie D, Union, NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:12 PM)

Let the polls wash over me!

Lovin it (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:12 PM)

The honymoon is over...

DV, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:12 PM)

Save the world fire a republican today and let them go make it on their own like they preen about all of the time.

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:14 PM)

Doubts About Palin?

Should that suprise any reasonable person?

Finally, it looks like the healing power of reason is taking over from what was developing into a terminal illness -- America's macabre and totally unwarranted fascination with Sarah Palin and all of the ignorance she brings with her. Many Americans have been suffering from an epidemic outbreak of "Palinitus". A deadly affliction of the brain, if left unchecked.

A vote for Obama/Biden is a vote for every American's future. A vote for Palin/McCain is a vote for 4 more years of handouts and tax breaks to the modern day robber barrons who helped get us in this mess.

Joe, MN (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:14 PM)

You think? I have no doughts I ain't voting for her or McCain! Mrs. Palin is GWB in a dress and I don't want any part of that. No McCain and No Palin!

Vote Your Hopes Not Your Fears!
Obama/Biden 08

Marcel, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:14 PM)

Ok...we knew that she wasn't qualified already! The question is, why the heck did McCain make such a cynical VP pick??

Sarah....and my last name isn't Palin (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:14 PM)

There is no question that Palin is unqualified and the refusal of the campaign to let her talk to the press emphasizes that point every day. Her choice for the place on the ticket was not "country first" but "John McCain first and the country be damned".

Capt. Harmon (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:14 PM)

You can paint lipstick on a pig but she is still a pig

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:14 PM)

I was aghast from the moment he rolled the screecher out!

UGH! (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:15 PM)

Her unqualified numbers can only increase the longer she is hidden from the press. I hope they finally let her out of her box so that she can prove the 49% correct.

Seattle (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:15 PM)

If the McCain campaign want more people to take Palin seriously, they need to let her be questioned by the press, just like any other candidate. When I read yesterday about the press not being allowed to ask her questions, my first thought was "How stupid is this woman that they can't let the press ask her questions?" If she's really smart & prepared, then why wouldn't McCain's campaign want to flaunt that fact, not hide it?

Maybe they're afraid she'll refer to the "Palin-McCain" ticket again. ;-)

Lisa T, Columbia MO (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:15 PM)

Proving that 40% of those polled are complete morons.

MikeN, OH (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:16 PM)

What? Palin not qualified?...."say it ain't so"...geez...You guys are a news organization...please tell us something we DON'T already know...

g slidell, la (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:16 PM)

Wow! 40% of people believe Palin IS qualified to be POTUS? That's 40% of the population that really haven't given this much thought.

Doug, Renton, WA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:16 PM)

Wonder how the McPalin team will spin these numbers - HALF of the country feels this doorknob is unqualified!!! How embarrassing!

Obamama - Glenwood, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:16 PM)

Not only is Biden more qualified (i.e., experience in government) than Palin, but also he is vastly more knowledgable in both domestic and foreign affairs. As for McCain, his "Judgement" is seriously in question:

1) His foreign policy views are dangerous.
2) His economic understanding is inadequate.
3) His VP choice is marginal, at best.

Given Obama's demonstrated superior judgement on these same issues, the choice could not be more clear. Obama is the best choice to be President and Commander in Chief!

JohnWinNC (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:16 PM)

No real surprises here. Palin is a newcomer who has very thin credentials and Biden is -- despite being a gaffe-machine -- a seasoned veteran of the Senate, particularly in the arena of foreign affairs.

The veep debate is going to be awesome!

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:16 PM)

Well duh. What reason is there to believe Palin WOULD be qualified?

John, San Francisco, Cali (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:17 PM)

I have no doubt that she's unqualified.

Keith, PA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:18 PM)

Good news. I just hope that the hallucinogen continues to wear off!!

Cindi in Louisiana (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:18 PM)

Who didn't know that. Palin should stick to being the socker mom of Alaska... This is the real world, Biden knows the world, Palin only knows about putting lipstick on and parading as a pit bull!!! TO OBAMA

Sylvia Hansen, Woodside, California (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:18 PM)

So why do we say Biden commits "gaffes" when he speaks his mind, but when McCain does the same he is delivering "straight talk?" McCain's choice of Palin says a lot about his "gambler" mentality.

Molly Maguire (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:18 PM)

Because she isn't qualified!

Molly Kansas City (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:19 PM)

94% of the people I know think Palin is unqualified to be President, Vice President or even Governor. Why is she in seclusion? It's like applying for a job and never having to take an interview for it. Why is McCain trying to derail and delay her Troopergate investigation? Why did she get a field trip to the UN instead of talking to the people? Why are there suddenly conditions for the VP debate? She obviously is hiding something and it sure smells fishy. She is nothing more than an election spoiler..McCain doesn't care about the country he only cares about the election!
When McCain and her speak I feel scared and when Obama and Biden speak I'm calmed.. My gut tells me to vote for Obama, my heart tells me to vote for Obama and my head tells me to vote for Obama.
Obama/Biden is our only way out of this mess!

JCar (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:19 PM)

Until the Bubble Girl is off the ballot it doesn't matter...and I'd bet against them dumping her at this point. She's there and there are enough simple minds and those whose self-interests the McCain/Palin ticket will help (the very wealthy and oil industry) that unless Obama supporters really get the vote out these two people could win. Dan Quayle was VP for four years, remember. RNC tactics work! I'd like to see a poll asking if McCain learned anything from his involvement with Chas. Keating, or does anyone really believe he's ever supported regulation.

subgruvet, ok (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:19 PM)

repubs,

Read it, and writhe like one of Sarah's poor fly by wolves!!!!!!

Retribution (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:20 PM)

But the funny part is Biden is in that 21% who believes hes not qualified.

JB is full of BS (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:20 PM)

It's good to see that there may still be some good sense in this great country!

Justin, Smyrna, GA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:20 PM)

Would like to compare their numbers to the same questions for McCain and Obama.

64% is very good for Biden, definitely shows some bipartisan appeal. Looks like his gaffes do not hurt with republicans.

N7r3pyd (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:21 PM)

What? But she's able to see Russia from Alaska.

John In IN (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:21 PM)

Even if 40 percent of them think she is qualified, the American people are way too stupid. A small town hockey mom and former mayor and sitting governor of Alaska who traveled outside of the US last year for the first time and is meeting with world leaders this week to bulk up on her foreign policy experience by simply shaking hands, appearing for photo ops and chatting with them is as qualified to be president as everyone else who has been met with world leaders. Chelsea Clinton is far more qualified to be predent than palin, and she is smarter than Palin.

John Anderson, Canada (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:21 PM)

In what respect, Charlie?

jbentley,Chicago,IL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:21 PM)

I would love to hear from the 40%...what could they possibly be thinking. As a registered republican, it is imbarassing that McCain would pick a VP candidate solely for the purpose of pandering for votes. Can ANYBODY tell me how this action by McCain puts Country first?

bdp denver (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:22 PM)

What was McCain thinking? Any way you slice or dice it....it's still a crazy choice and speaks straight to his lack of judgment.

Dennie J Lake Mary FL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:22 PM)

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