Alabamians rate President Clinton, badly beaten in the state when he was re-elected in 1996, even higher, with 53 percent giving him excellent or good marks, a high for him in the Alabama Poll. Less than two years ago, Clinton was viewed favorably by only 28 percent of Alabama voters. Alabamas two U.S. senators also are relatively popular with Alabama residents. Even the Legislature, which has gotten favorable ratings as low as 14 percent in past Alabama Poll surveys, is relatively well thought of by the public. The economy is good.
People are a little more positive now about how things are going in Alabama.
Thats good news for incumbents, including James. But it also may be good news for Democrats, who hope to keep their century-old domination of the Legislature intact. The one sour note is how Alabamians view the nation as a whole. By a 53-39 percent margin, they say it is going in the wrong direction. That may be explained by the fact that events in Washington seem farther removed from peoples concerns and needs than those at the state and local levels.