Alabama: Uptick for Moore

Before the Thanksgiving holiday break, the four most recent polls all projected Democratic former US Attorney Doug Jones to be leading former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) by as many as eight percentage points, an advantage largely derived from sexual misconduct allegations levied against the Judge from 38 years ago.  Now, however, we see two new polls both with large over-samples, that find Moore climbing back into the top spot. 
 
WT&S Consulting (11/18-20; 11,641 AL registered voters) sees Moore moving back in front, 46-40%.  On the heels of this survey, the Strategy Research organization polling for the Raycom News Network (11/20-21; 3,000 AL likely voters) projects a 47-45% Moore edge.  Though the sizable polling samples should provide a more accurate reading, these very large numbers of survey interviews compiled in a short amount of time suggest the polls were taken through an automated response device.  This means the reliability factor is likely lower. 
 
While Judge Moore may or may not be leading the race, it appears he is beginning to rebound from the sex scandal.  His biggest problem is resources, however, as Mr. Jones will enjoy a major spending advantage in the closing days. 

--Jim Ellis