FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
As Alaska Governor Sarah Palin gets ready to quit Sunday and become former Alaska governor - a new poll might put a damper on her future political plans.
The Washington Post/ABC News Poll shows 53-percent of Americans view Palin negatively, while only 40-percent see her in positive terms - the lowest level in this poll since she was tapped as the Republican vice presidential nominee.
Palin is one of the most polarizing figures in modern politics. She is still quite popular among members of her own party: 70-percent of Republicans view her in a positive light - but that number is down from pre-election levels. More importantly she has also lost ground among white evangelicals - the base of the Republican party.
Here's some more...
57-percent of those surveyed say Palin doesn't understand complex issues. What's wrong with the other 43-percent? I guess they didn't see the Katie Couric interviews.
47-percent say Palin understands problems of people like them...
And only 40-percent say she is a strong leader.
Sarah Palin - who is leaving office about 18-months early - says she plans to campaign for Republican candidates. A lot of people think she has her eye on a White House run in 2012 - yet this poll shows Palin running third behind Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents.
Sarah Palin has also been in the spotlight since last fall's election for other reasons - including ongoing ethics charges and public family feuds.
Here’s my question to you: Is Sarah Palin still relevant?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Joe from Lake Mary, Florida writes:
Sarah Palin is the American political joke of the 2008 election. The sad thing about that is that she was created by a candidate and a party who thought they might be pulling the wool over the eyes of the American electorate. It was a shabby, tacky tactic that failed as it should have failed.
Chris from Atlanta writes:
Your question assumes that she was relevant in the first place. All she has ever been is a joke and a distraction. I mean, what a brilliant move to quit halfway through your first term as governor and then say how you’re not a quitter. Is Tina Fey writing this stuff for her or is she writing it for Saturday Night Live? Sarah, just go away so the media can focus on more important things like who Britney Spears is dating.
G. writes:
Unless Palin's looks take a nose dive, she will be fine. That is what has propelled her though life so far.
Terrance writes:
While I do not believe that Mrs. Palin would make a good leader, I do think that it would be unwise for us Democrats to underestimate her relevance to the Republican base.
Curt writes:
I am not sure if Palin is still relevant, but it seems to me she is her own worst enemy. She needs to take a step back and learn to think before she speaks. "Pals around with terrorists", "the Real America", etc. might be good fodder for the most radical portion of her party. However, as for myself, a person who doesn't see politics as a blood sport but as the catalyst that determines the direction our nation will take, I have a hard time viewing Palin as little more than a circus sideshow.
Brad writes:
Relevant to people looking for leaders? No. Relevant for Saturday Night Live? Maybe. Relevant as a role model for quitters? Yes.