KTUU - Top 10 stories of 2007: The rise of Sarah Palin

December 21, 2007

pollster Dave Dittman (KTUU-TV)

Rep. Harry Crawford, D-Anchorage (KTUU-TV)

Rep. John Harris, R-Valdez (KTUU-TV)

radio talk show host Eddie Burke (KTUU-TV)

In 2007, new Gov. Palin got the Legislature to give her the gas line selection process she wanted and the increase in oil taxes she called a special session for. (KTUU-TV)

Link to KTUU Video

by Bill McAllister
Friday, Dec. 21, 2007

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — With approval ratings consistently between 80 percent and 90 percent, Sarah Palin is not only the nation’s most popular governor; she might be the public official in America who is held in the warmest regard by her constituents.

Just a year into her first term, Palin is gaining even more national attention.

As political honeymoons go, her’s might be one for the record books.

In 2007, new Gov. Palin got the Legislature to give her the gas line selection process she wanted and the increase in oil taxes she called a special session for.

Meanwhile, controversies over the failed state dairy and her vetoes of public works projects did little to blunt her popularity.

“I think that it’s been a great year,” Palin said. “Thanks to supportive legislators, who are kind of tired of politics as usual and recognize the need to do some things differently and really start progressing the state.”

At mid-year, pollster Dave Dittman found unprecedented high marks for Palin, with 88 percent of Railbelt residents approving of her job performance, notably her working relationship with the Legislature.

“They’re cooperating together. I think the public at large likes that,” Dittman said. “The Legislature has the highest marks I’ve ever seen.”