Palin is (barely) More Popular Than Obama, McCain

One poll has found that Ms. Palin is more popular, by a percentage point, than either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama, and is significantly more popular than Mr. Biden.  This is significant for several reasons. 

First, Ms. Palin may be one of the first signs that Mr. Paul's presidential bid may impact the larger political establishment. Ms. Palin was mentioned early as a potential running mate for Mr. Paul. She certainly represents the libertarian wing of the Republican party. 

It also comes in the face of primarily extremely negative coverage by corporate media. Whether her popularity is a backlash to this coverage, or simply in spite of it cannot be discerned at this time.

This Republican convention may have unveiled the new rising star of the party, much as 2004's Democratic convention unveiled Mr. Obama. Whether she will contend for the presidency in 2012 or 2016 remains to be seen. However, it increasingly looks to be a when rather than an if.