The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • A8

8A charlotteobserver.com The Charlotte Observer FROM PAGE ONE Polling, a Democratic-leaning firm, had the two candidates tied at 48 percent. The 9.6 percent unemployment rateranks fifth- highest in the nation, higher than every battleground state except Nevada in an election that has centered on the economy. Rural votes make or break either candidate in a state that now has more than half its population in urban areas. But the experiences of voters in hard-hit counties like Richmond and Cleveland one traditionally blue, one red dramatize the uphill battle Obama faces to repeat his narrow 2008 victory in North Carolina. The traditional Democratic stronghold of Richmond County, home of Rockingham, voted for a Republican for president since Richard Nixon.

Four years ago Obama carried it by fewer than 300 votes. With an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, a number of voters say they are rethinking their choices. And Cleveland County, which went nearly 60 percent for McCain, could get even redder as it continues to lose manufacturing jobs. a state where Obama wins by 14,000 votes in 2008, got to hold on to every one of those votes, practically, to hold on in said Wake Forest University political scientist John Dinan. advantage his campaign gained in 2008 is one he give Job losses mount North unemployment rate was 7.8 percent in November 2008, when Obama was elected amid the Great Recession.

Within a year, it had spiked above 11percent. It has steadily declined since then, but remains higher than economically troubled states such as Michigan, Arizona and South Carolina. Manufacturing and construction especially suffered in North Carolina, another blow to counties like Richmond and Cleveland, which were already dealing with textile job losses much longer in the making. The month Obama was inaugurated, Cleveland County lost 419 jobs when the Entertainment Distribution Co. plant closed, and 123 jobswhen packaging plantshut down, according to layoff notices filed with the state.

Earlier this year, the RockTenn facility in Shelby closed, ending 152 jobs. know that they blame the Obama administration for going on today, but they see it extending going on said N.C. Sen. Wes Westmoreland, a Republican from Shelby. Richmond County has long struggled with unemployment and poverty, worsened by the recession that started in December 2007and its aftermath.

It has remained Democratic even as rural voters elsewhere in the state have gradually grown Republican. But now, voters in Richmond County say considering switching their votes, or know people who are. Henry Antos, 46, who runs Uptown Cafe in Rockingham, is among them. He voted for Obama in 2008 but said he be doing so again because Obama do what he said he Taxes are an issue for him, but unemployment worries him more, as he sees fewer customers streaming in at lunchtime. want them to get jobs so they can come in and he said.

But while many talk of changing their votes or staying home, political scientists say unemployment is one of many factors influencing voting trends with historic political affiliation remaining a major driver in the voting booth. counties tend to be fairly stable in their voting patterns, come a good year, come a bad Catawba College political scientist Michael Bitzer said. Republicans, in general, are going to vote for Romney and Democrats for Obama, Dinan from Wake Forest University said. And each side views the economy through its own political lens. are dramatically different responses when you ask Democrats how the economy is doing or ask Republicans how the economy is Dinan said.

are in general much more likely to say not doing Four years ago, Charles Deaver, 27, of Hamlet in Richmond County, was a restaurant manager. Today, a busboy at Hudson Brothers Deli in Rockingham. Deaver is a registered Republican but voted for Obama in 2008. He understands why many are disenchanted with the president. But as a recent student, Deaver said he likes emphasis on student loans.

And a history of undiagnosed epilepsy without health insurance has put him in favor of the signature Affordable Care Act. already voted for Obama he expects few of his neighbors to follow suit. been working in the factories or in the he said, going for Dunn: 704-358-5235 Twitter: ECONOMY VOTE from 1A At a glance RICHMOND COUNTY County seat: Rockingham County population 46,611 Unemployment rate 12.7 percent Largest private employers Perdue Products First Health Of The Carolinas Demographics 58 percent white non-Hispanic, 31 percent black 2008 presidential vote 50.3 percent Obama CLEVELAND COUNTY County seat Shelby County population 97,489 Unemployment rate 10.7 percent Largest private employers Cleveland Regional Medical Center, Wal-Mart, Gardner- Webb University, Select PEO Inc. Demographics 74 percent white non-Hispanic, 21 percent black 2008 presidential vote 59.5 percent McCain ANDREW DUNN Charles Deaver 27, works at a Rockingham deli. He said not doing better than 2008, but voted for Barack Obama.

September: 9.6% SOURCE: Department of Labor STAFF CHART percent N.C. Unemployment rate 0 2 4 6 8 10 12.