Conservatives split on Palin

In a 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll of adults nationwide, conservatives are closely divided over whether Sarah Palin would make an effective President.

41% of conservatives say she would make an effective President, while 40% say she wouldn't, which as the The Hill's Michael O'Brien notes, is a "close margin among those within the GOP who are seen as Palin's base of support."

The question: "Do you think SARAH PALIN would have the ability to be an EFFECTIVE PRESIDENT?"

All adults: 59% no; 26% yes.... for -33% no.

Republicans: 47% yes; 40% no.... for +7% yes.

Democrats: 75% no; 12% yes.... for -63% no.

Independents: 63% no; 21% yes.... for -42% no.

Moderates: 70% no; 19% yes.... for -49% no.

Conservatives: 41% yes; 40% no.... for +1% yes.

Take-away: These are some funky results. Why would conservatives be more likely than Republicans, at large, to doubt Palin's executive abilities?

It would've been helpful to ask more political questions of these conservatives to get a better grip on who they are.

But unfortunately, the only other political question in the poll is about Afghanistan, and -- while they differentiate between "liberals" and "Democrats" -- the pollsters lump "Republicans" into one category.