S.C. voters split on Obama + video

Watch the 2010 State of the Union Address, GOP and Congressional reaction and analysis below this story

South Carolina voters said they have not changed their minds about President Barack Obama after his first year in office.

Supporters argued the president needed more time to sort out the nation's sagging economy, health care reform and other issues. But those who did not vote for Obama argued he was trying to do too much too quickly, and worried he was undermining principles the country was founded upon.

Obama lost S.C. by 9 percentage points to Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona in 2008. An October Winthrop University poll of Southerners found 47.4 percent of those polled in 11 states approved of Obama, while 42.2 percent disapproved.

"I'm sure he's very frustrated," said Melodie Hunnicutt, 51, of Columbia who voted for Obama and considers herself a Democrat. "I feel like he's tried his best to follow through.

"I do feel much better about the economy than I did last year at this time."

Hunnicutt said she wanted Obama to provide a clear, concise synopsis of the Senate health care bill in his first State of the Union speech Wednesday night. Recent Republican election wins, she said, are evidence Americans prefer divided government.

Virginia Ravenel, 43 of Columbia, said she would like Obama to emphasize the importance of small businesses and entrepreneurs. Jobs should be his top priority, she said.

Others, like Matt Jenkins, 42, and Mahogany Graham, 33, both of Columbia, said Obama needs more time.

"People need to understand he inherited a mess," said Jenkins, an Obama voter and Democrat. "The country didn't get into this mess overnight."

"I'm happy there's a plan," Graham said, adding she did not believe former President George W. Bush had a road map.

"It's a work in progress."

Jenkins believed politics and race were playing a role in forming opposition to Obama.

"There is still this issue of this black/white issue that we don't want to talk about," he said. "If we can put race out of the picture we'll see some change . . . but until then, we'll just have to be patient."

Ridgeway resident Cam Langston, 46, said she did not vote for Obama and considers herself an independent. Langston said she felt Obama was trying to do too much, too soon.

"There needs to be some overhaul with health care, absolutely," Langston said. "I just think they tried to get it through too quick and it's not the best plan that could have been put through.

"I'd like for him to say they're going to take a step back on health care."

Langston said she would like for Obama to step up war efforts in Iraq, to complete the mission and send armed forces home.

Columbia resident Charlie Vassy, 55, said he worries about the future of the United States under an Obama presidency.

"The strength of this country is being tested," Vassy said. "He and his supporters just simply preach socialism."

Vassy believed the political pendulum eventually would swing away from Obama's policies, and he hoped people would again embrace the ideas of the Founding Fathers.

"I hope we can protect (the country)," said Vassy, a Republican. "It's being deteriorated rapidly."

But John May, 43 of Columbia, said he is content in his vote for Obama. May considers himself an independent.

"I go back and forth," May said of voting for Republicans and Democrats. "I believe in the balance of power.

"It's like hiring a football coach at Carolina. It's too early to make a rash decision."