Ohio unemployment falls, but so does support for Obama

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 3, 2012 | Alana Semuels

[neverdem]

Even though the economy looks better, many blue-collar workers seem less inclined to vote for him this time around.

Reporting from Canton, Ohio

Reg Rozell and Kim C. Sweitzer seem like they'd be sure-fire Obama 2012 supporters.

Both have good-paying union jobs at a busy steel mill here and are benefiting from a manufacturing surge that's keeping their employer operating three shifts and granting overtime to whoever wants it.

But though both voted for Barack Obama in 2008, they say they won't vote to reelect him, even though they're noticing positive signs in the economy. They already voted Republican in 2010, helping elect Gov. John Kasich, who has been battling with public employee unions ever since.

"I've basically been a Democratic voter, but I won't vote for Obama again," said Rozell, 61, standing outside the steel plant, which was belching smoke into a drizzly Ohio afternoon. "I don't like the bailout, I don't like taxes, I don't like talking about trillions of dollars of deficit."

Here in Stark County, which has voted for the winner in every presidential election but one since 1980, the concerns of people like Rozell and Sweitzer reflect the challenge confronting President Obama. Despite blue-collar job creation in steel mills, ball-bearing manufacturers and meatpacking companies, many working-class white voters here, and in much of Ohio, say they have reservations about him this time around.

Although this swing state's 20 electoral votes went to Obama in 2008, the latest poll from Quinnipiac University suggests a...

--snip--

They are increasingly choosing the candidates with whom they most identify, says David Wasserman, an editor specializing in House races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. "Lifestyle and culture is driving politics more than regional economic circumstances," he said. "Obama is more arugula than chicken and dumplings, and that's a problem."...

[ncfool]

this is a great clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vmuc4Z5Oqk&feature=player_embedded

[Old Sarge]

It must have burned their fingers, for LAT-Obama to print something less than complimentary about their Messiah.

[TNCMAXQ]

Even nationally as the media try to play up the little bit of good news, 0’s numbers seem to have fallen a bit. It was big news when he got back up to a 47% approval from Gallup around Christmas but I guess that was because people were in a good mood. Last I saw it was back down to a meager 41%.

[NormsRevenge]

Shift haPPens.

[dog breath]

I may be biased going back 8 generations in the state but I feel Ohio is an interesting place, a real mixture of people and opinions. The urban areas are mostly Democrats while the rural areas and working suburbs are mostly conservative and Republican. There are liberal enclaves and other areas where the people would fit right into any conservative part of the South. In my family it was divided between Republicans and Democrats. While there are horribly blighted urban areas the local people never let them become quite like Detroit. Even the black guys often don't feel quite as entitled as they might feel out East and Church attendance is fairly high in the black community. The Mexican and other Hispanic guys still try to learn English there for they do not control large areas. I joke with one black guy that I work with that he would make a good redneck, pro gun rights, works on cars to relax and he despises gays. He will vote for Obama simply since he is black but if the Republican candidate made a good argument he might stay home rather then vote for Obama. The State has always been a meeting ground of ideas that can go either way politically.

[musicman]

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[emax]

Well that also means Obama isnt getting credit for decreasing unemployment. If he was, than no doubt support for Obama would skyrocket-Unemployment is possibly the most important issue for American midwesterners.

[AbolishCSEU]

"He will vote for Obama simply since he is black"

Tell your friend he's a racist. I have a black son (bi-racial) who is a registered pubbie, has just gone to serve in the Air Force and votes conservatively; not on the basis of skin color.

[flutters]

Ohio Ping!

To be added to the Ohio Ping List, please freepmail (works best),
LasVegasDave or flutters.

[dog breath]

I do tell him he is a racist sometimes, his mind is slowing opening up, I might make a Republican out of him yet.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks neverdem.

[cookcounty]

"Romney and Gingrich each were favored by 43% of those surveyed to 42% for Obama."

Sweet. Gingrich already beating Obama in Ohio.

[AbolishCSEU]

keep at it. I’m working on a young network admin at work; not yet 30. Married, two children, stay at home wife. Brought up with NPR and watches Jon Stewart. Voted for Obamster. I’m making inroads.