Working New Hampshire

[TayTay]

I just wanted to test a thread here about understanding some of the states that have early Presidential primaries. I know (and you know) that it is too early for thinking about 2008. However, it is never too early to get an understanding for how these primaries actually work and how decisions are made in the early states like Iowa and New Hampshire. If people like these informative little posts, then we can continue them and update them from time to time.

New Hampshire is a small state (9,351 square miles. Iowa is 6 times the size of New Hampshire according to this chart, http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/area.shtml) Most of the population of New Hampshire is nestled into the southern most portion of the State (see this quickie chart: http://www.newhampshire.com/pages/counties.cfm) And, for my last eye glazing chart (promise!) you can check out this quickie info sheet on the size of New Hampshire cities and towns: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33000.html

Whew! I have now satisfied my wonky side. The point of doing this is to acquaint you with New Hampshire and with how this New England state deals with Presidential candidates and the mechanics of running a Pres campaign. (On both sides of the political aisle, as the expression goes.) I think you now have an appreciation for just how small a land mass the candidates deal with and how that affects the planning and allocation of resources in a campaign.

New Hampshire indulges in something called 'retail politics.' This means that the candidates can meet and greet and interact personally with a large segment of the population. (If you want to meet a Presidential candidate and you live in Southern New Hampshire, you have an excellent shot at meeting one.) Potential candidates begin coming into New Hampshire to begin campaigning earlier and earlier. (The 2008 race began at 4:00 pm on Nov 3rd, 2004. Not kidding.) Candidates rely on local people who have heard of them or who support them to organize house parties, cookouts (Bar-B-Cues), town hall meetings and so forth to bring people out to hear the candidates. Candidates march in local parades, perform some cooking duties at local pancake breakfasts (where they attempt to not embarrass themselves by not dropping the food) and other very local and ordinary things. (It is extremely strange to go to the bowling alley with a candidate and watch them get a box to stand on and begin their stump speech while people are still bowling. John Edwards did this. I am not sure how being able to give a speech in between the sound of pins going down proves you can be President, but that is part of the weirdness that is the New Hampshire Primary.)

I am going to stop now. I am beginning to meet and greet people on my own from various and sundry parts of NH where I either have family or have ingratiated myself. (Manchester. Ah, vote rich Manchester with it's burgeoning African American and Hispanic population. I have met some folks from here and look forward to meeting more.) Let me know if you find this type of getting to know the primary states informative or not. Thanks!

[sandnsea]

1. Yes

Maybe we can even narrow in on areas that need some Kerry love. Find local groups, highlight their good deeds. Start posting on message boards in the early states to keep Kerry's work in front of them. :shrug:

[angrydemocrat]

2. Great Work Tay Tay

I think it is good idea myself. And I don't believe you can get much more imformative than what you have already. I like all the charts as well. After all this, if someone don't have a better understanding of New Hampshire and how they deal with presidental candidates and the running of one they never will. Great work and I say keep it coming.