Poll: Romney more popular, Palin divisive

WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Public views of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have improved considerably in the past 16 months, a poll released Wednesday indicated.

The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press surveyed 1,502 adults on their views on Republican Party leaders.

Public opinion on Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin remains split, Pew said, with 44 percent of those polled viewing her favorably and 45 percent unfavorably. However, Palin, 45, remains popular with Republicans, with 73 percent saying their opinions were favorable. That was higher than Romney, 62, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 66, and Republican Chairman Michael Steele, 50.

Overall, 40 percent of those polled had a favorable view of Romney, up from 30 percent in February 2008. Romney has made especially strong gains among independents with 44 percent viewing him favorably and 25 percent unfavorably, a switch from February 2008 when 29 percent were positive and 46 percent negative.

Romney's standing among Democrats and Republicans has also increased.

The poll found the public split on Gingrich, who remains well known after a decade out of office. While 35 percent had favorable views of him, 38 percent were negative.