Edwards, Democratic presidential hopefuls paying new attention to Alabama
Wednesday, January 17, 2007--Associated Press----
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--Alabama is getting something it hasn't seen in years: Early attention from Democrats interested in being president.
Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina will attend a campaign fundraiser in Birmingham on Friday, and retired Gen. Wesley Clark was in Montgomery on Monday, his second trip since the fall. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack visited last year, and Rep. Artur Davis of Birmingham wants to host an Alabama fundraiser for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
Both Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls are raising money and visiting the state earlier than usual because Alabama's presidential primary in 2008 will be among the first in the nation barring changes. It's now set for Feb. 5, 2008; it had been among the last, in June, beginning in 1992.
But something else may be in play for Democrats, who last carried the state in a presidential election in 1976 and, in past years, seemed to write off the state early as unwinnable.
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With polls showing about two-thirds of Alabamians disapproving of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq, Fisher said Democrats have a chance in the state if Iraq remains a major issue through the election.
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