---
title: "Ready on Day One?"
description: "Fewer than four-in-ten (37%) say Sarah Palin is qualified to serve as president if necessary."
date: "2008-10-01"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2008/10/01/ready-on-day-one/"
---

# Ready on Day One?

In advance of tonight’s vice presidential debate, fewer than four-in-ten (37%) Americans say Sarah Palin is qualified to serve as president if necessary, while a majority (63%) say her opponent, Joe Biden, is qualified for the job. More than half (52%) viewed Palin as qualified in early September. Women are slightly less likely than men to view Palin as qualified. Both Palin and Biden are viewed favorably by a majority of Americans, but while views of Biden have remained virtually unchanged over the past month, the number of people viewing Palin unfavorably has risen from 32% to currently 40% as views have become increasingly polarized along partisan lines. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/975/obama-boosts-leadership-image-and-gains-significant-lead-over-mccain)