Are Democrats and Republicans going to campaign heavy in states with the highest unemployment rates and the largest electoral votes in 2012?
In the most current preliminary release for September 2011 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 25 states recorded unemployment rate decreases, 14 states posted rate increases, and 11 states and the District of Columbia had no rate change.
President Obama’s 2012 Democratic National Convention will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The largest over-the-month decrease in employment occurred in North Carolina (-22,200), followed by Ohio (-21,600) and Pennsylvania (-15,800).
New Hampshire experienced the largest over-the-month percentage decline in employment (-0.9 percent), followed by New Mexico (-0.7 percent) and North Carolina (-0.6 percent).
The largest over-the-month increase in employment occurred in Florida (+23,300), followed by Texas(+15,400) and Louisiana (+14,100).
The District of Columbia experienced the largest over-the-month percentage increase in employment (+1.6 percent), followed by Hawaii (+1.1 percent) and Louisiana and Mississippi (+0.7 percent each).
September 2011 unemployment rates in states that Obama (Democrat) won in 2008
State Unemployment (Seasonally Adjusted) [electoral college votes for 2012]
Nevada 13.4% [ 6 ]
California 11.9% [ 55 ]
District of Columbia 11.1% [ 3 ]
Michigan 11.1% [ 16 ]
Florida 10.6% [ 29]
Florida 10.6% [ 29]
North Carolina 10.5% [ 15 ]
Rhode Island 10.5% [ 4 ]
Illinois 10.0% [ 20 ]
Oregon 9.6% [ 7 ]
New Jersey 9.2% [ 14 ]
Ohio 9.1% [ 18 ]
Washington 9.1% [ 12 ]
Connecticut 8.9% [ 7 ]
Indiana 8.9% [ 11 ]
Colorado 8.3% [ 9 ]
Pennsylvania 8.3% [ 20 ]
Delaware 8.1% [ 3 ]
Delaware 8.1% [ 3 ]
New York 8.0% [ 29 ]
Wisconsin 7.8% [ 10 ]
Maine 7.5% [ 4 ]
Maryland 7.4% [ 10 ]
Massachusetts 7.3% [ 11 ]
Minnesota 6.9% [ 10 ]
New Mexico 6.6% [ 5 ]
Virginia 6.5% [ 13 ]
Hawaii 6.4% [ 4 ]
Iowa 6.0% [ 6 ]
Iowa 6.0% [ 6 ]
Vermont 5.8% [ 3 ]
New Hampshire 5.4% [ 4 ]
New Hampshire 5.4% [ 4 ]
September 2011 unemployment rates in states McCain (Republican) won in 2008
State Unemployment (Seasonally Adjusted) [electoral college votes for 2012]
South Carolina 11.0% [ 9]
Mississippi 10.6% [ 6 ]
Georgia 10.3% [ 16 ]
Alabama 9.8% [ 9 ]
Tennessee 9.8% [ 11 ]
Kentucky 9.7% [ 8 ]
Arizona 9.1% [ 11 ]
Idaho 9.0% [ 4 ]
Missouri 8.7% [ 10 ]
Texas 8.5% [ 38 ]
Arkansas 8.3% [ 6 ]
West Virginia 8.2% [ 5 ]
Montana 7.7% [ 3 ]
Alaska 7.6% [ 3 ]
Utah 7.4% [ 6 ]
Louisiana 6.9% [ 8 ]
Kansas 6.7% [ 6 ]
Oklahoma 5.9% [ 7 ]
Wyoming 5.8% [ 3 ]
South Dakota 4.6% [ 3 ]
Nebraska 4.2% [ 5 ]
North Dakota 3.5% [ 3 ]
Nebraska 4.2% [ 5 ]
North Dakota 3.5% [ 3 ]
* Puerto Rico 15.1% [does not vote in the presidential general election, no electoral votes]
Source for unemployment rates: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics -September 2011, seasonally adjusted
Dilemma X 
October 22, 2011
Government/Politics