Clinton Wins New Hampshire Primary
Granite State Elects Clinton in First American Presidential Primary
Presidential candidate and Democrat Hillary Clinton followed in her husband's footsteps to became the new "Comeback Kid" in New Hampshire.
The Democratic presidential hopeful and winner of the first state primary election of 2008, was able to fortify her position as the most likely Democrat to “start from day one.” In a state where the motto is "Live Free or Die" the candidate was able to overcome the wave of momentum of her opponent’s impressive Iowa Caucus win. Hillary Clinton pounded home the theme that she developed in Iowa – she was the candidate with experience. A mere 5 days after the Midwest Caucus, Barack Obama had an impressive 13% point lead going into Tuesday’s primary according to the final Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll. Yet, with 73% of the votes counted the AP declared Clinton the winner 39% to Obama's 36%.
New Hampshire Stronghold
In primary elections, unlike general elections, areas that are not considered strongholds for one party can ill afford to be ignored by any candidate. “The Lakes Region is a Republican stronghold, but there's still a lot of Democratic votes there, so we can't ignore those people;" said Nick Clemons, former executive director of the New Hampshire state Democratic Party and now Clinton advisor, in a January 5th AP report. Every Democratic or Republican vote is precious in a primary election and Clinton successfully sought them out statewide.
Strongholds too play a different role in primaries than they do in the general election. Strongholds “become battle grounds” between the party candidates according to Clemons. Clinton firmly defeated both Obama and Edwards in these traditional Democratic regions of NH.
- Manchester – the media and logistical hub is naturally a Democratic stronghold. Clinton won with the woman’s, senior citizen's and lower income earner’s vote.
- Milford - had 47 percent registered "undeclared" voters as of Nov.1! A battle erupted between forces loyal to Senator John McCain and Obama, reducing the votes for the Democrat.
- Keene – “…a college town has a majority of undeclareds. When the 2004 presidential primaries were held, the majority pulled Democratic ballots” said Glen Johnson of the Associated Press in his January 5th article. This primary season also saw Keene democrats split the vote with independents.
- Hanover/Lebanon – the home to Dartmouth College was the scene of Obama’s greatest triumph. According to a January 7th USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, “Obama also leads…by an overwhelming 3-1 among voters under 35.”
Candidate's Election Issues
Informed voters usually make their decision based upon election issues. Success was mainly determined by whether voters accepted the issues presented, whether they believed the candidate on their issues and whether they felt that candidate was the best to carryout those issues as President of the USA.
- John Edwards – was called by the Washington Post’s Op-Ed writer, George Will, on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, the “Trotsky of 2008.” Taking the populist position that corporations control Washington, he had some success. Richard Ward, a 75 year old Portsmouth, New Hampshire retiree, told Scott Malone of Reuters News Service: "If you can believe what he says about cracking down on lobbyists that would be a thing worth doing.”
- Barack Obama – can take pride in his strong showing. New York Times writer Bob Herbert wrote in his January 05th article: “There is no longer any doubt that the Obama phenomenon is real. Mr. Obama's message of hope, healing and change…drew…tens of thousands to stand with a man who is not just running for president, but trying to build a new type of political movement.”
- Hillary Clinton – once considered the leading Democratic contender has become the “Comeback Kid” in NH. Maintaining a loyal base she will now take her win and momentum and focus on the larger states.
