Reports: Palin drags down Republican ticket

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Sarah Palin

McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Sarah Palin has become a drag on the Republican presidential ticket, the first time in recent political history that a running mate has made such a difference.

Among many independents and moderate Republicans, she’s raised serious questions about John McCain’s judgment, become too much of a national punch line and reinforced concerns about Mc- Cain’s age.

In a nationwide survey Oct. 16-19, Pew Research Center found that 49 percent of respondents had unfavorable views of Palin, while 44 percent saw her favorably.