February 5, 2007

Independent Poll Shows More Alabamians Identify as Democrats

Contact:  Zac McCrary (334) 262-2221Cell-(334) 324-4585 

Montgomery – A new independent poll from one of the country’s most prestigious firms shows that more Alabamians are identifying themselves as Democrats than Republicans.  Gallup’s authoritative 2006 polling shows 49% of Alabamians identifying themselves as Democrats to 46% as Republicans.

“These numbers show what I’ve observed for the past several months,” commented Alabama Democratic Party Chair Joe Turnham.  “Increasingly, Alabamians have rejected the Republican model of divisive partisan warfare and one failed policy after another and stand ready to embrace common-sense Democratic leadership both in Montgomery and Washington D.C.”

Turnham also noted, that for the first time since 1976, the Democratic Presidential nominee could carry Alabama’s 9 electoral votes.  Turnham and other national Democratic delegates attended this past weekend’s DNC Winter Meeting at which all 10 Democratic Presidential hopefuls spoke.

“In 2006, Alabamians awarded Democrats control of the legislature as well as several key offices from local courthouses to the highest echelons of power in the state,” continued Turnham.  “We’re seeing this momentum grow even stronger as Alabamians applaud the common-sense progress of the new Democratic Congress on issues like raising the minimum wage and providing greater access to both quality healthcare and affordable college tuition.  The contrast between these mainstream Democratic proposals aimed at America’s middle class and the Bush/Cheney record of six years of division and incompetence gives Democrats a blueprint for success in 2008 and beyond.”

“We’re now a year out from Alabamians going to the polls to select Presidential nominees and this survey shows that not only are the days of Republicans being able to take Alabama for granted are over but also that Alabama is prepared to be a key battleground in both the 2008 primary and general elections,” concluded Turnham.

More details of the Gallup survey can be seen at: http://galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26308.