The polling numbers for Obama are phenomenal nationwide – ranging from the low 60s to the low 80s, depending on the pollster.

What’s most striking are the numbers in red states – and in red regions of states.

My home state of Tennessee voted for McCain by 57-42. Obama’s job approval before the election was 45% in Tennessee. Today, it’s 60%. In Texas it’s 62%. I don’t have access to Rasmussen’s internal numbers, but my guess is that Obama’s support is robust across the state, including in heavily GOP East Tennessee. Casual conversation with people who clearly did not vote for Obama show a lot of hope for his Administration and tentative support.

In Kansas and Kentucky Obama has also hit 62%. In Appalachian Eastern Kentucky, Obama’s approval is 71%. Eastern KY showed some of the biggest shifts from Kerry to McCain between 2004 and 2008. It seems that Obama has soothed doubters here in Appalachia.

Most amazing is the number in Alabama. The statewide number, 60% is impressive on its own. But look at the racial breakdown. Remember that only 10% of white Alabamians voted for Barack Obama. Today, 49% of white Alabamians approve of Obama’s job performance, with 30% disapproving.

That’s just phenomenal when you consider the racial polarization in the Deep South this election. If Barack Obama is getting roughly 50% support among white Alabamians – even right after the glow of inauguration – we really have reached a new age.