David Corn

Washington Bureau Chief

Corn has broken stories on presidents, politicians, and other Washington players. He's written for numerous publications and is a talk show regular. His best-selling books include Hubris: The Inside Story of Spin, Scandal, and the Selling of the Iraq War.

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The More Palin We Get....

—By David Corn

| Thu Feb. 11, 2010 7:01 AM PST

Sarah Palin has truly been in our face these past few months: a book, a book tour, television appearances (after signing on as a Fox News commentator), high-profile speeches. And it doesn't seem to have done her much good—in terms of public approval.

In December, Americans who worry about the chance—no matter how slight—of a Palin presidency received some shocking news: the woman who quit as Alaska governor came in second in Gallup's rankings of the most admired women in America. She almost placed first. (Hillary Clinton topped the list with 16 percent, Palin had 15 percent. Oprah Winfrey came in third, Michelle Obama, fourth.) Though the vote was divided up among a number of women—allowing a contender with a dedicated following to fare well—this was a surprisingly strong finish for Palin, suggesting that perhaps her recent blitz was boosting her public image.

Not so, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll. It finds that her public approval numbers are getting worse:

Palin's own ratings are weaker, apparently hurt rather than helped by her return to the spotlight. Fifty-five percent of Americans see her unfavorably, the most basic measure of a public figure's popularity, and 71 percent believe she's not qualified to serve as president, a position she said Sunday she'll consider seeking. Both negatives are at new highs.

...More problematic for Palin is that even in her own party 52 percent think she's not qualified for the presidency -- up by 16 points from an ABC/Post poll in November, shortly before the publication of her memoir, in which she criticizes the strategy of the 2008 Republican presidential campaign.

Far more Americans see Palin strongly unfavorably, 38 percent, than strongly favorably, 18 percent. Among independents -- swing voters in national politics -- just 36 percent see her favorably overall, vs. 53 percent unfavorably, and only 29 percent think she's qualified for the presidency.

It's not good sign for a potential candidate when she increases her public activity and the public comes to think worse of her. Palin may be much admired by a devoted band of supporters, but as most Americans see more of her, they believe she's not presidential material. Anyone who doesn't want Palin to become president ought to adopt a simple strategy: urge her to spend more time in the public spotlight.

******

See how Palin's actions as governor may lead to the evisceration of her state's public records laws.

You can follow David Corn's postings and media appearances via Twitter.

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Dumbest Spam Yet?

—By David Corn

| Thu Feb. 11, 2010 6:34 AM PST

We're all familiar with silly spam email from Nigeria and elsewhere that informs you that hundreds of thousands of dollars are waiting for you—if you just send along your private banking information. Everyone wonders who falls for this and why these emails keep on coming. The spammers don't seem to be getting any more sophisticated. Here's one I received today:

Hi Sir,

R u free for business meeting

Thanks & Regards

Kobra

Kobra? It seems a James Bond villain is trying to con me. And who would jump at the chance to take a meeting with a fellow—I'm assuming it's a fellow—with such a name?

If anyone wants to investigate Kobra, the email came from this address: safsa.9789@gmail.com. And please tell him or her I'm all booked up.

Sarah Palin Has a Secret

Palin's fight to keep her emails under wraps could spell trouble for sunshine laws.

—By David Corn

| Wed Feb. 10, 2010 7:00 PM PST

When Sarah Palin campaigned in 2008, she declared that she would bring "transparency" to Washington, DC. Yet her actions as governor of Alaska may ultimately eviscerate that state's open records laws.

Last month, a Superior Court judge in Alaska named Patrick McKay issued a decision sought by Palin. His ruling has the potential to undermine—perhaps even destroy—transparency within the Alaska state government.

[Read the full article]

Dumbest Quote of the Day

—By David Corn

| Mon Feb. 8, 2010 12:22 PM PST

And the winner is Michael Steele, the GOP chaiman. From an AP report on a debate between Steele and Harold Ford Jr., a former Democratic House member, at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock:

"Trust me, after taxes, a million dollars is not a lot of money," Steele said.

Yes, he said after taxes. (Steele was attacking President Barack Obama's plan to let George W. Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy expire.) So is the Democratic attack ad finished yet? Such a spot could be used in every congressional district of the nation. This quote was first reported last week, but Dems are pushing it out today. In oppo research, this is what they call a "keeper."

You can follow David Corn's postings and media appearances via Twitter.

Obama: Question Time with GOPers was "Fun"

—By David Corn

| Fri Feb. 5, 2010 9:02 AM PST

At a Democratic fundraiser on Thursday night, Obama referred to last week's Q&A with House GOPers:

We've got to change the tone of government and politics here in Washington and all across America. I'm not going to give up on that either. You know, the American people are right to be frustrated about a Washington where every day is Election Day -- and the basic theory is, "If you lose I win." Where we're not measuring success by what we're doing for the American people, but how we look in the latest Gallup. No wonder people are frustrated. That’s why I went to the House Republican caucus the other day. We had a good discussion -- (laughter) -- about the challenges that are facing the American people, our ideas to solve them. That was good for the country. It's good for our democracy. I had fun.

Just not enough fun to commit to doing it again.

By the way, an informed source tells me that House GOP leader John Boehner is unlikely to say yes to the cross-partisan campaign for more Question Time without the White House agreeing first. And you can read my response to QT skeptics here.

You can follow David Corn's postings and media appearances via Twitter.