Poll: 7 in 10 think Palin's not qualified to be president

Just as she makes one step towards a 2012 run, a new poll has some bad news for the former governor

Published October 28, 2009 4:25PM (EDT)

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is reportedly about to take one of the first steps in any presidential run: A trip to Iowa. The Iowa Republican reports that she "could be the featured speaker for the Iowa Family Policy Center's fall fundraiser in Des Moines on November 21." That's just a few days after her book, "Going Rogue: An American Life," is slated for release.

Problem is, if Palin does want to run for president, she's got a tough road ahead of her. That was made clearer than ever in a new CNN poll. 71 percent of respondents -- including 47 percent of Republicans -- told the pollsters they believe Palin is not qualified to be president. 29 percent said she is qualified; that includes 52 percent of Republicans.

CNN Polling Director Keating Holland pointed out that Palin's numbers "are similar to what Dan Quayle got in 1993, when only 23 percent thought he was ready for the White House." Quayle comparisons are never a good sign.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

MORE FROM Alex Koppelman


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