South moves away from GOP

Facing South: South moves away from from GOP

A new Gallup poll shows that there are only four solidly Republican states left in the nation -- and not one of them is in the South.

Alabama is categorized as "leans Republican." South Carolina, Mississippi and Texas -- states traditionally thought of as firmly in the GOP camp -- are now classed as "competitive." Florida and Georgia are considered to be leaning Democratic and Virginia is now considered solidly so.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Ornamental grass could be good biofuel

ARKANSAS: Unruly Little Rock crowd mocks lawmakers over health care plan

FLORIDA: Ecology of Florida Bay on edge of collapse

GEORGIA: Three state House seats to be decided in November

KENTUCKY: State to hold flu summit

LOUISIANA: State's insurance industry at risk

MISSISSIPPI: State works to curb rising rate of illegal drug activity

NORTH CAROLINA: State cuts 12% of mental health funding

SOUTH CAROLINA: Weak gun laws in S.C. criticized by Brady Center

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen withholds another $56 million from state agencies

VIRGINIA: State's budget shortfall could reach $1.5 billion

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