In the Democratic primaries, working-class whites consistently supported Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Later polls showed them overwhelmingly favoring Republican nominee John McCain.

Now, driven by fears that their personal finances could further deteriorate, many see Obama as the better choice - their thinking in some cases driven more by concern about how McCain would handle the economy than any growing admiration for his rival.

A 44-year-old Fayetteville man has been arrested and charged with molesting a 10-year-old girl.

Howard Knight, Jr., whose last known address is listed as the Value Place Motel on Bragg Boulevard, turned himself in to law enforcement officers today, according to a news release.

Knight is charged with taking indecent liberties with a child, a sexual act by substitute parent and a first degree statutory sexual offense.

The victim told detectives she was assaulted while in Knight's care in September, the news release stated.

Knight was living with the girl's mother, who was recovering from a workplace injury, according to the release.

The child told her mother what had happened and the mother called the sheriff's department, the release stated.

Knight's bail was set at $75,000. He is due to make a first court appearance Tuesday.

WASHINGTON - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club. In an image bound to go down in history, every living U.S. president came together at the White House on Wednesday to hash over the world's challenges with the president-elect. There they stood, shoulder-to-shoulder in the Oval Office: George H.W. Bush, Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

"This is an extraordinary gathering," Obama said, looking plenty at ease in the humbling office that will soon be his.

"All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office," Obama said. "And for me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary. And I'm very grateful to all of them."

Bush, blistered without mercy by Obama during the campaign season, played the role of gracious host.