61% Realize Palin's Been 'Treated Unfairly by the Press'

MSM polls may say a majority don't consider Sarah Palin qualified to be President (60 percent according to ABC News-Washington Post), but just as many people recognize the media's unfair hostility toward her. "About six in 10 Americans (61 percent) think Palin has been treated unfairly by the press," a Fox News-Opinion Dynamics survey released on Friday - and highlighted on Saturday's Fox Newswatch on FNC - discovered. That's up from 58 percent in January. Half as many, 31 percent, said she's been covered "fairly," with 8 percent answering "don't know."

While an overwhelming 83 percent of Republicans consider media coverage unfair toward Palin, so do a solid 65 percent majority of independents - and even a significant minority of Democrats: 37 percent. (PDF of the Palin portion [1] of the poll of 900 registered voters taken November 17-19.)

The poll also found that Palin is viewed more positively than Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the FoxNews.com summary [2] pointed out:

Despite being characterized by many as a divisive force in her party and the nation, Americans are much more likely to give Palin a positive rating (47 percent favorable) than another prominent female leader - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (28 percent favorable).

Full results for the question: "Do you think Sarah Palin has been treated fairly or unfairly by the press?"

- Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center