MARION -- To get a quick check of the political pulse of a community, there aren't many better places than a barber shop on a Friday afternoon. A barber spends his whole day hearing what his customers say about political issues, the candidates and who they're supporting.

Mack McClellan has been cutting hair at Taylor's Barber Shop in Marion for 33 years, and he hears what his customers say when the subject turns to the S.C. Democratic Primary Tuesday.

"A lot of people here are saying it's Medicare, the war and jobs," McClellan said. "But the jobs situation is the biggest thing."

Thursday: Chesterfield and Marlboro Counties Friday:Dillon and Darlington Counties Saturday: Marion and Williamsburg Counties Sunday: Florence County

With the second highest unemployment rate in South Carolina, job creation is important to voters in Marion County, McClellan said. The loss of manufacturing jobs has affected everyone, even those who are working.

"We feel it in a small business like this," he said. "People have to set aside money just to get a haircut, they have to set aside money for health care, and a lot of people here don't have insurance, because they don't have a job."

McClellan said he will be voting in the Democratic primary Tuesday, but he hasn't decided who will get his vote.

"I kind of like Wes Clark," McClellan said. "I haven't really decided yet. I listen to them all, and I think Howard Dean is doing pretty well here."

Ask McClellan's customers what their feelings are, and they'll tell you.

Donnie Jackson, a 36-year-old pipefitter from Marion, said he hasn't decided on a candidate yet, but he'll make up his mind by the time he steps into the booth Tuesday. And one issue stands out above all the others.

"Jobs," Jackson said. "They took all the jobs overseas. They need to think about people at home first."

Jackson said other issues, like health care and the war in Iraq, are also shaping his decision.

"I won't vote for Bush," he said. "They went in there (Iraq) and said they had biological weapons, but they haven't found any. So, in other words, we went to war for nothing."

Only one county in South Carolina is in worse employment shape than Marion County, and that's Williamsburg County. The unemployment rate in Williamsburg County was 17 percent in December, the lowest it has been in more than a year.

At the Hardee's restaurant in Kingstree, the conversation usually turns to politics among the morning crowd as they mull over biscuits and hot coffee.

"I tell you, losing jobs is the biggest issue around here," said Vaughn McCracken, 81, of Kingstree.

McCracken, a World War II veteran, said none of the candidates have won his support yet, but he's watching the campaign closely.

Pointing to a photo of the seven candidates in the morning newspaper, McCracken ran his finger across Howard Dean's face.

"This fellow Dean seems to be a really smart fellow," he said. "Maybe too smart."

McCracken said he watched Thursday night's debate between the candidates, and while he liked what most had to say, one stood out.

"I like John Edwards," McCracken said. "He's a little young, but he sounds good to me."

One other thing beside unemployment will also shape McCracken's decision, he said: the war in Iraq.

"I don't really believe President Bush did much thinking when he was going to war," he said. "A lot of people are losing kin over there, and a lot of people are hating the fact that we're in a war."

Across the dining area from McCracken sat Donald Hodge. The 44-year-old Greeleyville resident said he's not sure he'll vote in the Democratic primary because none of the candidates stand out to him.

"Bush is as good as any of the rest of them," Hodge said. "Besides, none of them can do any more than the legislature will let them do."

Hodge said he's seen too much negative campaigning to want to vote for any of the Democrats.

"They've been bashing each other, and that's not going to get them anywhere with me," he said.

While many people have an opinion about who will win the Democratic primary in South Carolina, one person in Williamsburg County said it doesn't matter who wins.

"Bush is going to win in November," said Madame Bell, a psychic spiritual reader in Cades. "This guy Dean may actually win in South Carolina, but Bush will win in November."

If Madame Bell is correct, it could be another of her predictions that comes into play to give Bush a victory.

"I think there's going to be a lot of positive things happening in Iraq," she said.