Sarah Palin's Popularity Through the Roof

[irvin88]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Oprah wants her, and so do Letterman and Leno. Fresh from her political defeat, Sarah Palin is juggling offers to write books, appear in films and sit on dozens of interview couches at a rate that would be astonishing for most Hollywood stars, let alone a first-term governor.

The failed Republican vice presidential candidate crunched state budget numbers this week in her 17th-floor office as tumbling oil prices hit Alaska's revenues. Meanwhile, her staff fielded television requests seeking the 44-year-old Palin for late-night banter and Sunday morning Washington policy.

Agents, including those from the William Morris Agency, have come knocking. There's even been an offer to host a TV show.

"Tomorrow, Governor Palin could do an interview with any news media on the planet," said her spokesman, Bill McAllister. "Tomorrow, she could probably sign any one of a dozen book deals. She could start talking to people about a documentary or a movie on her life. That's the level we are at here."

"Barbara Walters called me. George Stephanopoulos called me," McAllister said. "I've had multiple conversations with producers for Oprah, Letterman, Leno and 'The Daily Show."'

Asked whether Winfrey was pursuing Palin for a sit-down, Michelle McIntyre, a spokeswoman for Winfrey's Chicago-based Harpo Productions Inc., said she was "unable to confirm any future plans" for the show.

John McCain plucked Palin out of relative obscurity in late August and put her on the national Republican ticket. Now, she has to decide how and where to spend her time, which could have implications for her political future and her bank account, with possible land mines of legal and ethical rules.

Palin is considering about 800 requests for appearances from December through 2009, with 75 percent coming from out of state. A year ago, just a sprinkle of requests came from beyond Alaska's borders. They range from invitations to speak at The Chief Executives' Club of Boston to attend a five-year-old's birthday party, from a prayer breakfast in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to a business conference in Britain.

Michael Steele, the former Maryland lieutenant governor who wants to be the next chairman of the Republican National Committee, is seeking face time.

She has invitations to make appearances in 20 foreign countries, typically with all expenses paid, McAllister said. She has more than 200 requests for media interviews, again from around the globe. Watch whether Palin has plans for 2012 »

"She has to pace herself," suggested veteran Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman. "She wants a career made in a Crock-Pot, not a microwave."

In her two months on the national stage, Palin energized the Republican base but turned off moderates and independents, according to some surveys. Flubbed answers in national television interviews raised questions about her competence. She was embarrassed by the disclosure the RNC spent at least $150,000 for designer clothing, accessories and beauty services for her and her family.

The right book or movie deal could help Palin reintroduce herself to the nation, on terms she could dictate. Watch Palin says she's ready to help Obama »

While books and movie deals could be worth millions of dollars, it's not clear if Palin would be able to legally earn it. State rules say she cannot accept outside employment for compensation. But there appears to be little in the way of precedent left by former governors to judge if book deals or lucrative speaking appearances amount to "employment."

Palin has sent unmistakable signals she is open to running for president in 2012, but to advance her political ambitions she must stay in the public eye in the lower 48 states. As with any celebrity, there is the risk of overexposure. At the same time, she'll be under pressure to attend to governing her home state, which is thousands of miles from the rest of the nation.

[MilesAustinforMVP]

Sarah Palin: 49% favorable, 43% unfavorable
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/...iref=hpmostpop

[NinePointOh]

Publicity and popularity are two very different things. You can get ratings without being well-liked.

[canters]

I read that article and remarled to myself that the writer dislikes Palin. He managed to slide in several snide commments here and there, and some outright negatives ones. She may be popular in some circles, but not in the MSM. I cannot remember in my lifetime someone who inspires such extremes of emotions among people.

[irvin88]

Originally Posted by canters

I read that article and remarled to myself that the writer dislikes Palin. He managed to slide in several snide commments here and there, and some outright negatives ones. She may be popular in some circles, but not in the MSM. I cannot remember in my lifetime someone who inspires such extremes of emotions among people.

She is a lock for GOP nomination in 2012.

[MilesAustinforMVP]

Originally Posted by irvin88

she is a lock for GOP in 2012.

I hope so. I'm going to cross party lines in the primaries and vote for her in Texas just to make sure.

[irvin88]

Originally Posted by canters

I read that article and remarled to myself that the writer dislikes Palin. He managed to slide in several snide commments here and there, and some outright negatives ones. She may be popular in some circles, but not in the MSM. I cannot remember in my lifetime someone who inspires such extremes of emotions among people.

They did the same #### w/ Reagan in 1976, calling him an idiot and such.

By the time 2012 rolls around, Barack Hoover will be a big disapointment to the MSM.

[irvin88]

Originally Posted by MilesAustinforMVP

I hope so. I'm going to cross party lines in the primaries and vote for her in Texas just to make sure.

good. by then Barack Carter-Hoover will have an approval rating in the low 30's as he gets blamed for the biggest job losses in 80 years !!

[Danny White]

Originally Posted by irvin88

She is a lock for GOP nomination in 2012.

I don't know about a lock... but she's the favorite thus far.

She's got my vote.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/112252/GO...abee-2012.aspx

[VCDefectors]

I remember at one time Monica Lewinsky was a hot commodity in the media. If Palin is smart, she will not take the media bait and get back to work.

[canters]

I plan on voting for her too. The long knives will come out though. The Lefty GOP will be gunning for her, as well as the MSM. It will be brutal,,very brutal. She will survive only if she is made of steel.

I disagree that the MSM will tire of Barry. They will defend him to the end and give him slack like no other POTUS in history. Some of this will be due to his race,,,most of this will be due to the MSM liking his politics.

[burmafrd]

there will be enough in the media besides Fox who will be willing to start working him over if he screws up bad enough. But I agree he will get slack like NO one else ever has.

[Rogah]

Originally Posted by irvin88

She is a lock for GOP nomination in 2012.

And 4 years ago Hillary Clinton was a lock for the Democrat nomination in 2008

[Aikbach]

I like Palin but it is my opinion that the strongest ticket to defeat Obama/Biden would be Bobby Jindal and Michael Steele or Mitt Romney.

[Beast_from_East]

Front-runners just after an election NEVER end up winning the nomination in the next cycle.

On a side note, did you guys check out her interview after giving a turkey a pardon?

They were decapatating the other turkeys right freaking behind her and she didnt even notice!!!

Freaking brutal backdrop to an interview, she has to get some better handlers to pay attention to this type of stuff if she ever wants to run for public office again.