FiveThirtyEight, one of the best sites on the web, had some interesting numbers on Sarah Palin's favorability ratings as they currently stand. According to the Research 2000/Daily Kos poll, her numbers are down from a +17 six days ago to a +1 today. Diageo/Hotline has it at +12, down from +24 last week.
If you trust polls and aren't a Sarah Palin fan, then you had a pretty good day today (unless you work on Wall Street).
Regardless of numbers, I think the Palin craze - and I understand I am not at all an impartial observer here - is indeed coming back down to earth. I think the narrative that is forming right now in the media is one of "Okay, soooo... who the fuck is this chick again?" Think about it: less than three weeks ago, she burst onto the scene, and predictably, a lot of the initial reaction was positive ("OMG! She's a mom! She's a normal person! She cooks mooseburgers!") and the novelty of it at all was overwhelming and inspiring. But now, as we digest seemingly one Bush-like scandal after another, the juxtaposition of her as a sweet, "normal" gal with some kooky beliefs and shady, unethical behavior seems to be leaving people somewhat skeptical or, in my case, downright spooked.
I will say this: after her interviews with Charlie Gibson proved that, though articulate and attractive, she knows nothing about basic issues and can't perform without a script, I'm not as worried about her debate with Biden anymore. I don't think Biden will wipe the floor with her, but I'm less afraid of her coming across as charmingly competent as I was a few days ago. I don't think she's not intelligent; I just think she doesn't know. And I think that is becoming increasingly obvious with each passing day.
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