Alaskans split down middle on Palin

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A poll taken after Sarah Palin left office shows Alaskans almost evenly split on their former governor.

The Hays Poll shows Palin's popularity has dropped precipitously in a year, the Anchorage Daily News reported. In July 2008, just before her entry on the national political stage as Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate, 80 percent of Alaskans had a favorable opinion of Palin.

In the poll taken Wednesday and Thursday, 30 percent said they have a very positive opinion of Palin and 16.8 percent described their view as somewhat positive. On the other side, 16.2 percent were somewhat negative and 31.2 percent very negative.

Another 4.5 percent were unsure, and 1.2 percent said they did not know enough about Palin.

Palin resigned last weekend after announcing her intention July 3. The new poll showed an increase of more than 6 percent in the share of Alaskans with a very negative opinion.

The poll of 400 Alaskans has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.