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>> reporter: at sun coast community high, they're proud of being ranked ninth in the country by "newsweek" magazine. >> what sun coast offers that is so different is the unique atmosphere. everybody is so -- so willing and so ambitious to work and to succeed. >> reporter: but even in a school with 100% graduation rate, where college admission is virtually guaranteed, students are painfully and personally aware of the challenges. >> the economic times has definitely, like, completely changed my mindset about college. >> reporter: ashley is a senior who plans on being the first in her family to ...

So ambitious to work and to succeed. >> even in a school with 100% graduation rate and college admission is virtually guaranteed, students are painfully and personally aware of the challenges. >> the economic times have completely changed my mind-set about college. >> ashley is a senior who plans on being the first in her family to go to college. years ago, her parents enrolled her in florida's pre-paid college tuition program, which has eased the strain on their family. william fields has it tougher. his mother was recently laid off. he's grappling with a new reality. >> i'll have to cut back...

Republican debate tonight in florida. president obama won florida in 2008 with 51% of the vote. he beat john mccain by roughly 230,000 votes. but it will be an uphill battle in 2012. the unemployment rate in florida is 10.7%. more than a point and a half above the national average. a new quinnipiac poll out today shows president obama's approval rating in florida at just 39%, with 57% saying they disapprove of the job the president is doing. and only 41% say he deserves to be re-elected, while 53% say he does not. joining me now is adam smith, the political editor for the "st. petersburg times...

State every year in the race for the white house. in november of 08 7.6% late wide. last month the numbers at 10.7% for august of 2011, a substantial difference in the sunshine state in only three years. larry santlarry sabato is here. how wil are you doing. >> i'm doing fine. bill: if you look at the top ten states in the worst shape i think you can make an argument here that at least four of these ten are critical swing states in 2012. nevada and flashes but also michigan and north carolina. how do you see it? >> those are it. you took the words right out of my mouth, bill. those four states...

For now it's not hurting him with the base. >> i was going to exactly with joy, with the poll, it's surprising how large. half of the electorate is over 60 years. talking about social security is something that tikz up the ears of the voters here. >> what are the other issues in florida that these two candidates will probably address tonight? >> unemployment is a huge issue. we have 10.7% unemployment here and it's much higher in the rural counties. in addition to social security, i would add medicare into that, it's an issue that affects a large amount of our population here. >> let's look at...