Yellowhammer released some inside polling numbers prior to Thanksgiving that showed support reaching a historic high for the initiatives being pushed by Republicans in the Alabama legislature. Today, we’re releasing more polling numbers that show just how dramatically the Alabama electorate has shifted to support the GOP on a wide range of issues, even issues on which Democrats were widely favored as recently as 2010.
Historically, Alabama Republicans have held a slight edge over Democrats on issues such as taxes and spending. Since 2002 Republicans have also easily outpolled Democrats on the issues of honesty, integrity and budgets. However, on the issues of the economy, jobs and education, Democrats have typically outpolled the GOP in Alabama — sometimes by double digits. That began to change during the 2005-2006 election cycle and Republicans rode that shifting sentiment to their 2010 electoral landslide.
2012 polling numbers obtained by Yellowhammer now show that Republicans are continuing to build their public opinion advantage over Alabama Democrats.
In a 600 sample statewide poll taken before the Presidential election, Alabamians were asked whether they prefer Republicans or Democrats in the legislature on a range of issues. Saying the results are bad news for a floundering Alabama Democrat Party would be an understatement.
On the issues of the Economy and Jobs, Republicans are favored 49% – 28%.
On the issues of Taxes and Spending, Republicans are favored 52% – 25%.
On the issue of Honesty and Integrity, Republicans are favored 44% – 26%.
And on the issue of Education, which is a traditionally been a stronghold for the Democrats, Republicans are now favored 43% – 33%. This is a huge swing from just 2010 when polling showed Democrats holding a 5-10 point lead on Education.
It’s rare for any Party to gain such broad support among the electorate. As long as Republicans stay the course and push through the conservative reforms Alabamians overwhelmingly support, they will continue garnering high marks from their constituents.
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