Palin's Numbers Drop While She Blames Obama For $4 Gas

Since people haven’t been talking about Sarah Palin that much in the past few weeks, she decided it was time to stir up some controversy. Last night she posted a long note on Facebook accusing President Obama of purposely driving up gas prices. Palin suggests that the drilling moratorium the President instated after the BP spill, new regulatory practices, and the end of oil tax incentives are part of some conspiracy to strengthen foreign regimes and weaken our country. (No, seriously.) She writes:

This was no accident. Through a process of what candidate Obama once called “gradual adjustment,” American consumers have seen prices at the pump rise 67 percent since he took office. Let’s not forget that in September 2008, candidate Obama’s Energy Secretary in-waiting said: “Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.” That’s one campaign promise they’re working hard to fulfill!

According to Politico, oil prices actually stabilized after fears of violence in Libya disrupting the supply drove prices to nearly $110 per barrel, but somehow Palin forgot to mention that.

Perhaps due to attacks that manipulate the facts (but more likely due to that “new candidate smell” wearing off), Palin’s poll numbers have dropped to a 58% favorable rating among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that while Palin used to have an unbelievable 88% favorable rating among Republicans, she’s now about as popular as Mike Huckabee, Mit Romney, and Newt Gingrich.

But compared to these possible 2012 Republican presidential candidates, her unfavorable ratings are much higher. In a new peak, 37% of Republicans now hold a negative view of her. Those polled weren’t incredibly enthusiastic about any potential GOP candidate, but that may just be because they don’t have any idea who half of them are. 60% or more said they had no opinion on Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and former Utah governor Jon Huntsman Jr.

How will Palin react to news that her potential GOP rivals are gaining ground on her? It’s hard to say, but she usually responds to bad news by casting herself as a victim, (Perhaps polls are just a tool designed by the liberal media to make her look bad?) And as 2012 draws closer, we definitely expect more outlandish accusations from Palin that blame Obama for problems he has little control over and offer few real solutions.

The $4-Per-Gallon President [Facebook]
Sarah Palin Blaimes President Obama For Pump Prices [Politico]
Sarah Palin Losing More Ground Among Republicans, Post-ABC Poll Finds [Washington Post]