Gov. Sarah Palin
WHAT: The highly popular governor of Alaska wowed Republican National Convention delegates with her no-holds-barred vice-presidential acceptance speech that took direct aim at Democrats, the Washington establishment and the national media. With only 27 percent of voters identifying themselves as Republicans this year – the lowest number in 16 years, Palin was widely praised for invigorating party loyalists and changing the dynamic of the 2008 presidential race.
WHY: In the first post-convention survey to measure her popularity, the Rasmussen Poll found that Palin’s favorability rating is one point higher than those of both her GOP running mate, John McCain, and Democrat nominee, Barack Obama.
