Poll Dancing 3: Pollin' Palin

Sarah Palin has made a huge splash since being introduced to the national political scene, a splash like a polar bear doing a Triple Lindy into Glacier Bay. Several national polls released since her announcement have shown her true impact on the race.

According to Daily Kos/Research 2000 tracking, Governor Palin has had a rough week in light of her interview on ABC and criticism of her and U.S. Sen. John McCain's negative attacks on U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.  Her favorability fell 5 points over the course of last week, Her unfaves increased by 8.  

Today, Rassmussen released a poll testing a hypothetical presidential match up between Palin and U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (perhaps next they can poll a reunion of David Lee Roth and Van Halen). Palin leads Biden 47% to 44%, with both candidates having about 50% favorable ratings, Palin, however, garners 35% very favorable ratings to Biden's 23%.  In the very unfavorable category, Governor Palin also leads with 28% of respondents to Senator Biden's 20%, (but this is like a golf score, lowest wins). Very interestingly, Biden outpaces Palin in a key constituent group, women, 55% to 44% according to the Rassmussen survey.

An EMILY's list poll also found that Governor Palin struggled among those sharing a common second x chromosome as the Alaska Governor. It is hard to believe that a pro-life, anti-moose Pentecostal would only be appealing to 41% of women.  Joe Biden, on the other hand, is supported by 64% of women. Additionally, the EMILY's list poll finds that only 9% of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton supporters are more likely to support John McCain because of Palin's selection. U.S. Sen. Barack Obama extended his lead among Clinton Supporters by 10 points after Palin's inclusion and opened up a 54-point lead on McCain. 59% of women felt that Palin's selection was politically motivated, 20% of women thought Governor Palin was picked because of her qualifications, the same percent that have excessive mercury in their body.

The race has leveled, the bounces are over. Now it is up to the candidates to make their case and the voters to decide.