Alabamians Turn Against Bush, Iraq War
As the Democrats get ready to debate tonight in Las Vegas, it might be a good time to look at the latest public opinion data out of Alabama.
Alabama may be a red state in national politics in the voting booth, and to read most of the Alabama press and watch local television news, you would think everybody in Alabama is a pro-Bush, religious conservative.
But when asked their opinions by survey researchers, that's not what you find at all.
According to the Alabama Education Association's Capital Survey Research Center out of Montgomery, when asked whether or not they had confidence in the abilities of President George W. Bush, only 12 percent of respondents said they had confidence in Bush.
Another 47 percent said they had lost confidence in the president and another 31 percent said they had "doubts" about his ability.
The survey also showed that the people of Alabama, like the vast majority of Americans, have turned against the Iraq war. A majority, 53 percent, say the war is "not worth it."
Furthermore, 61 percent of Alabama citizens say the country is "on the wrong track."
If the voting for president were held today in Alabama, the numbers show Fred Thompson leading Republicans at about 34 percent to 20 percent for Rudy Giuliani and 11 percent for John McCain.
Among likely voters for the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton leads with the support of about 33 percent, with Barack Obama holding the support of about 29 percent, and 10 percent going to John Edwards.
For another perspective complete with pie charts, check out Tommy Stevenson's blog on the Tuscaloosa News Website.
For more information about public opinion in Alabama, go to the Capital Survey Research Center.