Are the Red states turning Blue? I am beginning to think so, how about you?

InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research is now conducting an ambitious public-opinion survey of the entire South. The region is crucial to Republican hopes of holding on to their congressional majority and to many governorships.

The final, comprehensive results of the poll weren't yet complete when this column was filed. Over 4,000 interviews have been conducted, however -- enough to render persuasively alarming news for the GOP.

For example, in the populous states of Florida and Georgia, more respondents want the Democrats to control Congress next year than they do the Republicans.

President George W. Bush won both states in 2004, and yet he now has higher disapproval ratings than approval ratings. In Georgia, his disapproval rate approaches 50 percent. In Florida, it's 55 percent.

I have not held out much hope that the light of reason would shine down on our southern brethren. They have seemed unable to conprehend just how dangerous this president is and have supported him well after much of the country were entertaining serious doubts. To read now that the south has shaken off its fog is very good news indeed.

Will this translate into Democrats winning Senate and House seats in these heavily Republican states? I am not yet convinced. But it is only March and we have many more months of bad news coming out of Iraq, more challenges to the illegal wiretapping making headlines, and Republican corruption trials to help turn the tide even more. So all in all I am feeling pretty optimistic.