Sarah Palin is as Unpopular as Barack Obama in Alaska

A poll released Tuesday threw some cold water on former Gov. Sarah Palins hopes for a political comeback in Alaska. A poll from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, found Palin was upside down in Alaska with 58 percent holding an unfavorable view of her and only 39 percent seeing her as favorable.

Palin would be an underdog if she challenges U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, in 2014. Begich gets the support of 52 percent of voters while 40 percent back Palin -- not a good sign for a Republican in traditionally Republican Alaska. Palin does lead the Republican primary field, leading Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell 36 percent to 26 percent.

Its not like Alaska has gone liberal. President Barack Obamas numbers are very similar to Palins, with 39 percent of voters approving of him and 57 percent disapproving of him.

While Palin has been the most prominent Alaska politician ever to march across the national stage, its pretty clear voters havent forgiven her for resigning her office before serving a full term. Palin remains a favorite of national conservatives after bursting on the national scene in the 2008 presidential election. A loss to Begich would badly damage her standing. Palin has fired some shots at Begich and she would be able to raise major funds but she is very well-known and there are few voters who are undecided about her. Frankly, Palin has more to lose than to gain in this race.

The poll of 890 Alaska voters was taken from July 25-28 and had a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percent. The poll of 507 usual Alaska GOP primary voters was taken during the same period and had a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percent.