NPR Series: States Of The Economy

It's once again poised to play an important role in the presidential election, but Florida is a very different state than it was four years ago. Reeling from the housing collapse and high unemployment, voters are feeling the pinch and are angry at what's happening in Washington.

New Hampshire's economy looks pretty good compared with much of the nation. But even there, confidence has been shaken, and many families' economic outlook has declined. Republican voters are trying to figure out which presidential candidate offers the best plan to soothe economic anxiety.

The economy is expected to be the No. 1 issue in next year's presidential race. But the states holding the first primary contests are not exactly typical. In Iowa, the unemployment rate is far below the national average. Jobs in small towns, however, remain scarce.