SALEM, N.H. — Rose Campagnone was a registered Republican for nearly 67 years — until Barack Obama appeared on the scene.

Campagnone, 85, became a Democratic supporter when her 20-year-old grandson, Cameron Monagel, started working for the Obama campaign.

But Campagnone said her support started to shift to the Democrats over several years.

"I've become disillusioned with the Republican Party," Campagnone said. "I became kind of anti-Bush — with the war, the poor economy and high unemployment rates. I just got upset with it all."

Campagnone, who was a young girl during the Great Depression, said she remembered the hardships of high unemployment rates and a failing economy in a greater period of crisis.

Russell Moore, 80, and Joe Dattilo, 92, also remember the Depression, and are disheartened by the rise in unemployment levels and the present recession.

"This country's gone downhill," Moore said. "We've gotta do something."

And some of the things that worked then could work today as well, they said.

"That depression was far worse," Dattilo said. "But there were things that helped then, and a lot of them could work today."

Obama's economic plan has taken the past into consideration. His game plan mirrors an old Roosevelt program, the Works Progress Administration, part of the New Deal. Just as Roosevelt's WPA employed 2.1 million people a year from 1935 to 1941, Obama predicts the creation of 2.5 million jobs by rebuilding and remodeling roads, bridges and schools.

Campagnone, Moore and Dattilo are all thrilled with Obama's plan. In the midst of a severe recession, with unemployment on the rise, the notion of job creation is a popular idea.

"I'm thrilled that Obama's plan reflects the WPA," Campagnone said. "I'm very encouraged by this new leadership. I hope Obama can solve the problems with our economy by following this type of plan."

Moore and Dattilo agreed. Both men recalled Civilian Conservation Corps work and WPA projects that gave their families and friends employment during those difficult times. Moore, who grew up in Easton, Mass., said the WPA started just when all the factories in the area were beginning to close.

"For people out of work, it was a tough time," Moore said, "I was only in high school, but the WPA certainly helped, It took the unemployed and gave them jobs, and they loved it, too. They all loved it."

Campagnone, who had six siblings, said all of them had to work part-time jobs to help her family stay afloat. In a period where jobs were scarce, Campagnone said it was programs like the WPA that made it happen.

"I was quite young and it was quite a hardship, but because of things like the WPA, we made it," she said, "The Works Progress Administration worked very well. They used to give out clothes and food to the needy."

Dattilo had similar memories.

"The WPA built roads, interstate highways and parks. It did all sorts of stuff," he said. "It was a good project, and it got people off the streets."

Campagnone said she is thrilled with the staff chosen by Obama, and is feeling more and more hopeful.

"He looks like the type that thinks things through and stays cool under stress," she said. "We need that."

All three Salem residents agreed the WPA helped then, and it would help now. Moore is convinced that people would have starved to death if the WPA hadn't been put into effect.

"You can't get anything for nothing these days," Dattilo said. "It's a good trade to give people work — and fix our roads and schools at the same time. It will be a good thing. It can only help."

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