Some of the city’s own Joe Six-Packs – the working-class guys on Arthur Avenue – aren’t buying Sarah Palin’s claims that she represents the average American.

In many of the bars here, McCain-Palin equals Bush, and Bush equals the biggest problem in this neighborhood: a sinking economy.  Some blue collar voters say they are turning to Barack Obama – hoping he’s the key to an economic turnaround on Arthur Avenue.

The Bronx’s Little Italy usually draws large crowds of out-of-towners on the weekend.  But on a recent Saturday, rain and wind kept the tourists at home – and sent some locals seeking a dry seat and a drink to the neighborhood’s bars.  In Pasquale’s Rigoletto Restaurant, owner Thomas Terracciano, 58, sat at the bar with his regulars, enjoying a glass of red wine.

Business Drop

“I came here because of everything this country offers,” said Terracciano, who arrived from Italy in 1973. “This land has got everything. It’s a rich land. Why do we have to go through a depression?”

Business at Pasquale’s Rigoletto dropped 20 percent to 30 percent in the last month, Terracciano said.

He blames the government – and thinks it makes sense that many Bronx residents don’t trust the Republicans and support Barrack Obama, as he does.

“I’m the head of my house.  I pay my bills. I feed my children. This gets me credibility, respect.  The president has to do that too,” added Terracciano, who speaks in a thick, Italian accent.

Job Losses

At the other end of the bar, Christopher Mandrachio, who lives off of Belmont Ave, said he also planned to vote for Obama.  The 38-year-old said most voters in the neighborhood support the Democrat, though some don’t follow politics.

“Most of the people I know are unaware because they don’t read up.  Most people in this neighborhood don’t realize the magnitude of this [economic crisis],” said Mandrachio, who lost his job as a bar manager last month.

“I just got laid off.  Three of my friends were laid off in the last two weeks.  If you do find a job, you need to take a pay-cut,” he said, shaking his head.

In an area with a 13% unemployment rate, “All people here want is security in life,” Terracciano said.

“If you have a mortgage, no job, no income, how are you going to pay? How? How? How?” he cried, his head in his hands. “And the government, they don’t see that.  It’s not you screwed up or I screwed up – the government screwed up!”

Everyone around the bar agreed, mostly with silent nods.

“This neighborhood needs jobs and it needs optimism,” said Mandrachio. “If Obama gets elected, there will be a feeling of hope here.”