Poll: Alaskans like Palin, but give Biden the nod

[jefferson_dem]

Alaskans like Palin, but give Biden the nod

Most agree Del. senator is better prepared to be president

By CRIS BARRISH
The News Journal

Alaskans love the job their first-term governor, Sarah Palin, is doing. But when it comes to having the experience to be a good president or the ability to handle an international crisis, they give the nod to Delaware Sen. Joe Biden.

As far as solving the financial mess engulfing Wall Street, a slim majority of Alaskans believe Republican Palin would do a better job than Democrat Biden, but Delawareans overwhelmingly think their senator is better equipped to deal with money matters.

Those findings come from a poll of residents in both states about the first vice presidential candidates those states have had. The poll by the Public Mind center at New Jersey's Fairleigh Dickinson University was released Wednesday.

"Alaskans support Palin," said Peter Woolley, a political science professor who directed the poll. "But at the same time they are aware of her early political successes, they are aware of her brief political history."

Biden campaign spokesman David Wade said the poll shows that Biden's 36 years as a senator and experience in foreign affairs are resonating with voters.

"It'd be presumptuous as hell of us to try and tell Alaskans or any Americans who is best-suited to deal with our country's security challenges in a dangerous world," Wade said in a written statement. "But I can say with confidence that in Joe Biden, Barack Obama chose a running mate with a sterling record of good judgment and leadership on international affairs who has been in the forefront of foreign policy and military policy for decades."

Though more Alaskans believe Biden is better suited to run the White House, residents of the distant Northern land "have made Gov. Palin the most popular governor in America," Palin spokesman Ben Porritt said. "Governor has long been experience enough to prepare for the duties and responsibilities of the Oval Office. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin have the experience, sound judgment and principled leadership needed to succeed in Iraq, combat the terrorist threat and strengthen our international partnerships."

The poll, which surveyed 601 likely voters in each state from Sept. 17 through Sunday, was "almost predictable" on many fronts, Woolley said, noting that both politicians are extremely popular and considered trustworthy in their home states. The poll, conducted in consultation with The News Journal, has a 4 percentage point margin of error.

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http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080925/NEWS02/809250356/1007