I keep hearing that Republicans favor Palin, but who are they polling? Seriously, I don't know one Repbulican who liked (and would vote for) Palin.

I have spoken with family, friends, co-workers and I haven't found one who would vote for Palin in '12. Most can't stand her. I even have some repub. evangelical family members and even they can't stand her.

I'm just not getting who these people are who love Palin. I am just not seeing that are the majority.

The Republicans better wise up or we will go down in defeat as bad as we did in 2008.Palin needs to stay in Alaska and Huckebee in Arkansas.The most qualified person to run this country is Mitt Romney.At least he has proven accomplishments and has run the most liberal state in the country.

Wake up America we need Mitt Romney in 2012

So many readers predict that the election season of 2012 is going to be a comedy show.

“So, while I was really looking forward to seeing Sarah Palin run her own campaign directly against Obama (can you imagine??), it looks like we're going to be deprived that particular comedy.” -- paulpsd7

“Palin/Jindal in 2012. Imagine the comedic possibilities!!” -- RenMan53

“It will truly be a cheesy spectacle of epic proportions.” --Saintzak

“HA HA HA HA HA!

That is quite a line-up they've got there. Imagine the primary repub debates.” -- LoriW87

But some are being very melodramatic about possible change of guard in the White House. Didn’t we all get used to the fact that only about 50% of the time the position of the President of the USA is occupied by the member of the same party?

In the meantime, be prepared for the comedy. Buy the best tickets in advance and enjoy the show!

We just got done with the elections, do we really need to be spending time on the next one right now? Three years is more then enough time for the GOP to find a new messiah. I imagine by 2012 they will have largely forgotten about Palin and moved on to whoever else has been drawing the end-timers. As for the embrace of social conservatism, maybe that's not such a bad thing in the long run. The crazier they look, the better we do.

Heck, if you're going to pick a know-nothing, go all the way.

Why god why, are we starting the 2012 election polling now. Can't we wait at least a year after the last election?

"Obviously, this poll is very, very early and it will very likely not predict much about how the 2012 race actually shapes up."

Which begs the question: WHY waste time and electrons on this non-story?

...wouldn't it be cool if we spend some time, say at least 2 years, thinking about governance for a change and not extend the damn election cycle right up the ass of the last one?

Sorry, but this ongoing trend is twisted, and it is costing us in many ways.

You're right. This is a double edged sword. Republicans will be even more marginalized than ever if they continue their descent into crazy base land AND the economy appears to be turning the corner before 2012. If not, God save us. McCain, in good part because of the redneck/fundie appeal of Palin, didn't exactly lose in a landslide. If Obama is deemed to be a failure - a real possibility given the horrendous situation he inherited and Americans' famous impatience - we may finally have the chance to see if something resembling fascism, or anarchy, is a possibility here.

Oh please.

Does God really love Democrats that much?

-- OBC

Probably. He loves Obama a lot, that's for sure. The Republican nominee in 2012 is going to be good theater. I look forward to a comedy with Palin, Jindai, Joe the worthless fucking plumber, fat drug douche Rush Limburger, and a bunch of crazy Republican ladies calling Obama an Arab. (Anyone else part of the cast?) Republicans thought they have everything in the bag with Sarah Palin until she showed herself as completely, ignorant moron who shows no signs of self awareness (who owes the government tax money by the way). So with the GOP in exile (thank you Rachel Maddow) it's going to interesting to see who gets the nomination. Keep it coming Republicans.

Does God really love Democrats that much?

"Didn't polls taken about this time in 2004 indicate the race would be between Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani? What is the point?"

I think the author did a competent job (actually bent over backward) of explaining that it's just a moment-in-time data point and not likely to be a preview of 2012. I still think its interesting/valuable to get an idea of what GOPs are thinking now. Plus, in three years, if indeed the candidates are different, how can you make an appraisal of how the voters' minds have changed if you don't document how they feel now?

I'm actually a little surprised by Palin leading the poll. I thought a lot of her supporters were able to dismiss her lack of preparedness because she wasn't running for president but VP -- even though McCain's age probably convinced a lot of people she would eventually get promoted. I guess that's not the case though. I think it's a really healthy sign for the democrats though that support is divided so evenly.

republicans will be out of power for a long time.

maybe there is a god. a god that wants republicans to lose.

by 2012 La Palin will be far more polished and slicker than ever, and probably w/a fearsomely big war chest. The American voting public--the great, unwashed, illiterate masses of Joe the Plumber et al--just might resurrect the "Angry White Males" into enough of a lather to actually vote that bitch into place. And if they do, then we deserve her.

Never, ever underestimate your opponent--and remember that we should be ever vigilant against the "good old boys" like W and Palin (W in drag). He may have been the candidate to drink a beer w/--and precious little else. But hey, he DID win 2 terms, after all--even if it was w/out my vote.