Sarah Palin's poll ratings drop to lowest since 2008 over Jewish 'blood libel' row

Washington, Jan 19 (ANI): Potential US presidential candidate Sarah Palin has come under the purview of lowest rating since the time she emerged as a political icon in 2008, with latest polls saying that 53 percent Americans started viewing her in an unfavourable light following the 'blood libel' comment she made after the Arizona shootings early this month.

The Guardian quoted a Gallup poll as saying that only 38 percent of US voters favoured her.

Earlier, the Washington Post and ABC poll found that 30 percent of voters approved of Palin's remarks after the Tucson shootings, while 46 percent disapproved. In contrast, the poll found 78 percent of respondents approving US President Barack Obama's way of dealing with the issue.

Newt Gingrich, a likely contender for the 2012 presidential nomination, had recently advised Palin to show down her pace and talk less.

"I think that she's got to slow down and be more careful and think through what she's saying and how's she's saying it," he added.

Echoing Gingrich's opinion, former Bush speechwriter David Frum said: "She should stop talking now, really."

However, Palin defended her "blood libel" phrase that she had used in her video response to the Arizona shootings, and added that her critics cannot 'shut her up' over her conservative agenda.

"I believe there are many on the left who don't want Congress to get back to work. It's easier for critics of a commonsense, conservative agenda to try to divert and distract from issues at hand. I will continue to speak out. They're not going to shut me up." the CBS News quoted her, as saying.

Addressing the criticism she received from some Jewish groups last week for using the term "blood libel," Palin said: "Blood libel obviously means being falsely accused." (ANI)