Number of registered Dems in R.I. jumps

Already heavily Democratic Rhode Island is leaning even more toward the party.

The secretary of state's office reported that since the September 2006 primary election, Democratic voter registration has jumped by 5.6 percent while Republican rolls have increased by 0.8 percent.

The number of unaffiliated voters in the Ocean State has dropped by 5.3 percent.

University of Rhode Island political science professor Maureen Moakley said the Rhode Island numbers reflect a national trend toward the Democratic Party.

Democratic State Chairman William Lynch attributes the surge in registered Democrats to excitement generated by the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama