Alabama GOP hope to gain control of Senate

With the help of a few Democratic allies.

Here's a not-too-far-out prediction: if Republicans win a majority of the State Senate in the November general election - or even if they manage to come within a few seats of a majority - several conservative Democrats will switch parties.

A recent Mobile Press-Register/University of South Alabama poll verifies what many of us already suspected - that more Alabama voters identify themselves as Republicans than Democrats. It's also not surprising that many Alabama Democrats are finding that their association with Howard Dean's Democratic Party is more of a liability than an asset these days, and they are simply waiting for an opportune time to change their affiliation. The trends are unmistakable, and conservative Democrats are looking to get out while the gettin's good.