[F]ollowing a vice presidential acceptance speech viewed live by more than 40 million people, [Alaska Gov. Sarah] Palin is viewed favorably by 58 percent of American voters…. [only] 37 percent hold an unfavorable view of the self-described hockey mom. The figures include 40 percent with a Very Favorable opinion of Palin and 18 percent with a Very Unfavorable view. … A week ago, 67 percent had never heard of her.

The new data also shows significant increases in the number who say McCain made the right choice and the number who say Palin is ready to be president.

The voters aren’t done.

Here’s the kicker:

Perhaps most stunning is the fact that Palin’s favorable ratings are now a point higher than either man at the top of the presidential tickets this year. As of Friday morning, Obama and McCain are each viewed favorably by 57 percent of voters. Biden is viewed favorably by 48 percent.

There’s plenty of time for Palin to stumble, or for people to fill in the blanks about her and change their opinion. But it’s not exactly like she’s been floating on glowing press coverage or a perfect roll-out, either. As TWI has documented, her record is troubling and her speeches thus far have been filled with falsehoods.

The voters, however, like her on Week One. Now that we’ve seen Sen. John McCain’s dismal acceptance speech for the GOP presidential nomination, it’s fair to say she saved the Republican National Convention for him.