Philadelphia , Pennsylvania ( CNN ) -- Paulette Beale shakes her head at the suggestion , then flashes a contagious smile . `` It 's still history , '' she says , to rebut the notion there could be less intensity for President Barack Obama in the African-American community the second time around . `` The first history was that he won . The second history 's that he won twice . So , it 's not just about history the first time , you have to be concerned about the history for the next four years also . You can make history more than one time , you know . '' Her mother and father stand a few feet away , nodding approvingly . Paul and Altermese Beale founded Paul Beale 's Florist 41 years ago . Paulette takes the lead now , but her parents are on hand helping most days in a shop that is an institution in the Ogontz Avenue area of North Philadelphia . `` We love him , '' Altermese Beale says of Obama . `` One of the proudest days of my life was the day he was elected . '' The Beales are determined to see the president re-elected , and are part of an Obama campaign ground operation that is active early because of several obstacles to generating the big African-American turnout that was critical to then-Sen. Obama 's 2008 victories in many of the major presidential battlegrounds , Pennsylvania among them . Our visit this week was timed to coincide with the president 's speech to the National Urban League . At that meeting , in New Orleans , a major topic of discussion is a new Urban League study suggesting that if African-American turnout in 2012 falls back to 2004 levels , then Obama is almost certain to lose North Carolina and would find things much tougher in a handful of other battlegrounds , including Ohio , Virginia , Michigan , Florida and Pennsylvania . In 2008 , just shy of 65 % of eligible African-Americans voted for president ; in 2004 it was 60 % . That prospect of lower turnout could change the math in some key battlegrounds even if the president runs roughly equal to his share of the African-American vote , an eye-popping 95 % in 2008 . There are a number of reasons the Obama campaign worries that turnout among its most loyal voters could slip some -- and we got a taste of all of them during our visit to Philadelphia : . • Economy : African-American unemployment is well above the national average . • History : The prospect of electing the country 's first African-American president was unquestionably a factor in the 2008 turnout boost . • Complacency : The president 's win in Pennsylvania was by 9 points , and Republicans have not carried the state in a presidential race since 1988 . • New voter ID laws : Pennsylvania is among the states with a new requirement that voters show photo identification on Election Day . Paul Beale scowls at the mention of the law . `` There are people who do n't want him as president and they are trying to suppress the vote , '' he says . Altermese Beale says some of her elderly friends do n't have driver 's licenses or other current photo identification . `` If they keep this law , we will be in bad shape , '' she says . The Beales ask every customer if they are registered to vote , and have forms and literature on hand for those who need help . Across the street at the Obama campaign field office -- one of six in Philadelphia -- a table just inside the door is stacked with literature about the new law and its requirements . The campaign 's networking with local businesses is part of an unprecedented effort to register and then keep in contact with African-American voters . Danny Wright is a natural fit . A 67-year-old with vivid memories of taking part in civil rights marches in his native Maryland and now the owner of Danny 's Auto Tags , which contracts with the state to issue driver 's licenses and also sells auto insurance . `` It 's like a spark , '' Wright told us during our afternoon visit . `` When you say , 'Obama , ' everybody is very , very enthusiastic about him and you will see each person say to the other person , 'Have you registered to vote ? ' `` The new ID law is also a hot topic of conversation . Many fiercely oppose it . Wright is in that group , but says he has to assume it will stay on the books through November . `` You hear a lot of talk about suppression , '' he says . `` Everyone is making sure they 're having the proper ID and everything to go vote . So we reinforce this also . '' Our walk through the neighborhood -- steamy temperature aside -- had more of an October feel than late July ; campaign volunteers were everywhere , asking passersby if they are registered to vote and collaring most of those who answered no . One of the local Obama turnout teams has met regularly since the 2008 campaign . Most of the others took shape beginning a year ago . One older volunteer says his only worry is that so many people tell him , `` Do n't worry , Pennsylvania is a can't-lose . ' `` Bruce Burton has a quick answer when visitors to his Pretty Boyz barber shop sound complacent about the president 's November odds . `` We have more at stake , '' Burton said . `` We 're either going back to the years of President Bush or we 're going to keep moving forward . ... We have voter registration forms in the back . We are recruiting as many people as possible . We are not feeling that this is a sure bet . We feel we have to stand behind him 100 % . '' Black clergy is always critical to voter turnout in communities like this , and Dr. Kevin R. Johnson says Obama can count on his help despite a disagreement over the president 's support for same-sex marriage . `` We understand that he is not the pastor of the United States of America -- he is the president of the United States , '' said Johnson , the senior pastor at Philadelphia 's Bright Hope Baptist Church . After services this past Sunday , Bright Hope congregants had a chance to get materials on the new voter ID law . Johnson says that law could be one factor in driving African-American turnout down a bit from 2008 . But if there is a significant drop , his bet is that the tough economy will be the driving force . `` The president could do more in that area , '' Johnson said . `` When you look at the unemployment rate in the African-American community , there 's more that can be done . '' Still , Johnson says things are a bit improved in recent months , and as he tells congregants they must vote , he also says he is banking on a little help in this tougher election climate . `` The reason I know that everything is going to be all right in November is because I trust in the Lord , '' Johnson said . `` I love the president . But I trust in the Lord . ''
Turnout among African - Americans could determine outcome of presidential election . Unemployment , voter ID laws , complacency could reduce turnout . Obama campaign has unprecedented effort to register , communicate with voters . The Philadephian says there is more at stake this year than in 2008 .