The battle for New Hampshire

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:40:34 GMT

The battle for New Hampshire

russ wells, maine — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:07:32 GMT

forget about the polls as long as we get change and not the same old bs as some long time politicians have continued the old rederick. Politics as usual worry about it 4yrs from now....Change Change and i hope the mudslingers find a new job.

The battle for New Hampshire

Clare Dillon Pittsburgh Pa — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:08:54 GMT

Maybe people are starting to rethink their candidate.
They really don't know much about Obama, just now on MSNBC they said he was trying to work out a peace settlement behind the scenes in Kenya..Do we need to get involved there too at this time? His father is from there? No one really has asked him about it. They just tiptoe around him like he is a rock star.
Be careful what you vote for and remember the last 7 years and Iraq.. Vote Hillary.

The battle for New Hampshire

frederick — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:12:27 GMT

Who can help us figure out what Obama's Washington insider-less cabinet?....I hope Obama sticks to his promise of not using masters of the broken system in his leadership for change, otherwise I will be frustrated rigt away. I wish he could fire the congress and bring in his representatives to get the job done. The American political system is designed in a good and bad way for progress at the same time

The battle for New Hampshire

Nashville_fan — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:19:46 GMT

Dear "A Dem Who Doesn't Want Independents & Republicans Picking His Candidate For Him":

Why shouldn't independent voters (and even Republicans) have a voice in the primaries? We live in a country with a two party system, so why shouldn't everyone have a voice in how those candidates are selected?

The battle for New Hampshire

Lyn, MD — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:20:55 GMT

What you guys fail to discuss is that the primaries were moved up by the Clintons working with their friend...thinking that they would get it over with quick and not allow anyone else who came in second or third in a primary time to recover.

Live by the sword...die by the sword

Karma

The battle for New Hampshire

independents for change — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:21:28 GMT

independents are a part of the american voter democracy. to not include independents is to be anti-democracy. if it wasn't for independents bill clinton would have never been president. we are probaly more serious about the truth in politics that the average party line voter because we research, investigate, don't buy into talk points and don't dislike a candidate because it wasn't our emotional choice. we tend to take our time before selecting. this way we can determine who actually is or is not best for america in our judgement instead of just jumping on a bandwagon. we respect democrats and republicans without the partisan madness that party liners get caught up in.

The battle for New Hampshire

yolanda — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:21:54 GMT

I hope all these republicans who are pushing for Barack Hussein Obama's win today will also vote for him in the general election.
Interesting to note that the democrats want Hillary Rodham Clinton, after all this is a democratic rimary right?
you know Bill maher is right democrats sure knows how to loose the general election.

The battle for New Hampshire

David from Scotland, UK. — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:26:33 GMT

Clare Dillon said: "remember the last 7 years and Iraq.. Vote Hillary".

As an interested observer from the UK it looks to me as though that is exactly what people ARE doing. After all, Hillary voted for the war and Obama voted against it (despite his supposed lack of experience). Just an observation.

The battle for New Hampshire

terry, HB, california — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:30:44 GMT

Voting for Obama is kinda of like voting for Bush for the last 7 years. Voters should think hard about it. Just because he sounds good doesnt make him the right candidate .. unless you like to put a novice in the white house again. Vote Hillary

The battle for New Hampshire

Tim M, Ithaca — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:32:25 GMT

Our primary system is an absolute JOKE! While personally I am thrilled that Clinton has fallen from front runner status (nothing scares me more than a Clinton-Giuliani race for the general election), it is absolutely absurd that roughly a half a million voters in two of the smaller states can effectively decide who is (not) going to be the nominee. It is ridiculous that there is talk of Clinton dropping out before 3/4 of the population even gets a chance to vote!

The battle for New Hampshire

MK,MO — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:32:47 GMT

why would anyone other than the uber rich want to elect a corporate eletist to head a government run by corporate lobbyists, what possible good could come from electing the likes of mitt romney? that's just nuts

The battle for New Hampshire

Michael, San Antonio, Texas — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:33:33 GMT

It is interesting to note that when people ask for change, they... cannot define what they want to change. I am voting for McCain, if I get the chance, because I am something of a social conservative (That is... small government, small business, support for agriculture and land.), but I understand that the stand of many social democrats is just as right, and just as strong... so, if Edwards and McCain both make it... I'm going to have to do some hard thinking. Obama too. Hillary... Not so much. I have bad experience with the Clinton name, and do not like Hillary's international "conservative" stand of "If they're not for us, they're against us."

The battle for New Hampshire

CitizenJ — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:37:31 GMT

This is interesting.
Yesterday the polling data suggested Hillary was down by double digits.
Today she's only down 5 points.
I wonder if there's a little surge taking place here.
Come on New Hampshire, be smart and nominate the right candidate!
Be Democratic, vote Democratic.
Hillary for President, 2008!

A Dem Who Doesn't Want Independents & Republicans Picking His Candidate For Him (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 9:40 AM)

You are looking at different polls. The poll that shows Obama up by 5 points today showed him up by only 1 yesterday. So yes, there is a little surge taking place. But it isn't within the Clinton camp.

The battle for New Hampshire

Al, KS — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:42:24 GMT

I think and hope (yes, I used the word "Hope") that the pollsters are still trying to get a handle on who will show up to vote. This is not a lackluster election as so many have been in the past. This is not an election where we choose the lesser of 2 evils. This is not an election like any that I can remember...and I'm an old guy who can remember a lot of elections.

First, voters and non-voters are so anxious to get Bush out, that they are voting just to hurry the process along.

Second, the money. More than 40 million dollars was spent on TV advertising in Iowa, but much more on mail and organisers and staff.

Third, There is no heir apparent on either side and the first woman, the first black, the candidates themselves are driving people to the polls. And there are candidates to represent most segments of the population.

Fourth, the race is close on both sides. People see a need to get out and vote. So many elections in the past have a clear front runner, or an incumbent.

Fifth, the media is really covering this race, and there is so much more going on via the internet...sites like this.

Finally, the candidates themselves. Obama (whom I support) is such a departure from Bush. He speaks in complete sentences, uses big words, and talks to me like I also have a brain. Clinton, who I don't dislike, speaks to women, and those who long for a return to the Bill Clinton days. Huckabee. Rudy. McCain. Paul. Edwards, Richardson. All have a compelling story to tell, and a way to inspire.

I think that the voter turnout will once again surpass all of the historically outdated voter models that the pollsters typically use to identify "likely voters'. I think they are coming closer to the realities of this election (the DMR finally got it right in Iowa) but they still mis-underestimate the final turnout.

If the turnout is huge, as I suspect it will be, Obama will win by a much larger margin than any curret projection estimates.

The battle for New Hampshire

jon, battle creek, mi — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:54:57 GMT

Early feedback on actual numbers. Hillary is getting slaughtered.
Today is a great day, it will see the end of the Bush Clinton dynasty. Obama is a uniter. Reminds me of JFK

The battle for New Hampshire

jon, battle creek, mi — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:58:27 GMT

Early feedback on actual numbers. Hillary is getting slaughtered.
Today is a great day, it will see the end of the Bush Clinton dynasty. Obama is a uniter. Reminds me of JFK

The battle for New Hampshire

Jose Alemar Williamsburg, Colorado — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:01:28 GMT

There is something that many are not taking the time to think and that is the there a lot of republican voting for Obama because he is the easies target for the republican machinery.
Obama is using words of poetry to be a likeable candidate but we the old foxes have heard those words many time in the past and we don't trust the poetry speeches. Poetry speeches is way to brainwash those who listen.
My belief is if you use general names for the issues tell how you are going to accomplish and make sure that your offerings are going to be a reality.
Obama talk about fixing this and that but he does not tell you how.

The battle for New Hampshire

Steve, Hartford, CT — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:01:51 GMT

"Maybe people are starting to rethink their candidate.
They really don't know much about Obama, just now on MSNBC they said he was trying to work out a peace settlement behind the scenes in Kenya..Do we need to get involved there too at this time? His father is from there? No one really has asked him about it. They just tiptoe around him like he is a rock star.
Be careful what you vote for and remember the last 7 years and Iraq.. Vote Hillary."

Wait...Obama is trying to DIPLOMATICALLY work out a PEACE settlement in Kenya (in other words, demonstrating, or at least attempting to demonstrate, the very abilities people question that he has), and you think it's a shot AGAINST him? WHAT?

Stop eating only what the media feeds you and do some learning on your own. Learn to read between the lines. It will do you a lot of good. In the meantime, please don't vote.

The battle for New Hampshire

Dean, Waterbury, CT — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:03:18 GMT

Why are Independents who by definition have chosen to allign themselves with neither party allowed to vote on whom the parties (which they chose not to belong to) select as their candiddates? Hillary leads St. Barack among Dems so why are Indies allowed to vote and actually choose our nominee? Clintonites, email me at deblasiogwae@hotmail.com and let's get together to reform out party by voting Repub this fall. I'm so sick of this nonsense and the MSM just thinks it's great, don't they?

The battle for New Hampshire

Stephanie, RI — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:06:46 GMT

It's not about sex or color and who will be the "first". I hope american voters are intelligent enough to vote for who is more capable and "knowledgable" in running our country. Vote for one's background, morals, politcal experience. Get out there and listen, watch and research cadidates.
Vote for one's internal being not their sex or color.

The battle for New Hampshire

Marbw — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:08:11 GMT

Illinois Democratic senate primary

With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Mr. Obama had 53 percent of the vote and led his nearest competitor, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, who had 23 percent of the vote. Multimillionaire businessman Blair Hull was a footnote.

----------------

Illinois senate race in 2004---(12% African-American population only--won over 75%)

Barack Obama won 70%--------over 3.5 million (including all demographics---suburbs, city, downstate, upstate, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian).

John Kerry won over 54%-----over 2.8 million(less votes than Barack Obama)

George Bush won over 44%----over 2.3 million

Alan Keyes won over 27%-----over 1.3 million

Not only that, Obama won consistently in both affluent and poor areas, and in both black and white communities. His strong values enabled him to appeal to a wide variety of voters.
---------------------------
The IOWA 1/3/7 entrance polls show just how dominating Obama’s win was and dispel some myths about his candidacy:

Obama beat Clinton among women 35% to 30%
Obama beat Edwards among voters in union households 30%-24%
Obama beat Clinton and Edwards among voters of almost every income level (Obama and Clinton tied among voters who make $15-30,000)
As many voters age 17-29 as voters 65 and older participated last night -- in previous years senior participation has been 5-times greater than younger voters.
Obama beat Edwards and Clinton among voters who want change (51%-20%-19%)
Despite countless attacks and hundreds of thousands of dollars in negative mail, TV, and radio, Obama beat Clinton and Edwards (34%-30%-27%) among voters who say health care is the most important issue
Obama won among those who said the economy was the most important issue (36%-26%-26%)
Obama won over Clinton and Edwards (35%-26%-17%) among those who said Iraq was the most important issue
Won across the ideological spectrum – winning among liberals, moderates and conservatives
Won among high income and lower income voters among voters with household income below $50,000 (34%-32%-19%) and among those over $50,000 (41%-19%-28%)
Also won among the 82% of voters who said Pakistan was “very or somewhat important”

-------------------------------------------------------------

"If you stand with me and work like you you've never worked before ... then I'm absolutely sure we will win in New Hampshire and then Nevada and South Carolina and on February 5th, and we will go on to Denver and unify our party and gather Republicans and Independents and create a new working majority and we will win in November," he hoarsely shouted.
"Change is coming to New Hampshire in four days time. If you gave me the same chance that Iowa gave me last night, I truly believe I will be the next president of the United States of America," Obama told the crowd.

We won with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. We won the young vote. We won the old vote. We won the union vote. We won the non union vote. We won man and woman, black and white.

The battle for New Hampshire

Clare Dillon, Pittsburgh, Pa — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:14:20 GMT

Nice to know you are interested in us Scotland....
Obama was not a Senator when the vote on Iraq was taken so he can say he was against the war. No one will ever know how he would have really voted. Since he voted for the Patriot Act.......that says a lot.

When we talk about the last 7 years most of us are referring to the loss of civil rights, jobs,
the state of health care, the power of the Pharmaceutical companies, our education system, the fraud that has been prevalent in our government, oil profits beyond belief at the expense of the middle class and poor.

All by a man who ran on a theme of restoring honor to the White house and bringing "Change" to Washington. He claimed to be a religious man and yet he took us to a war built on lies. Our young men are in veterans hospital that were rat infested yet he claims we have the best health care..well he does....

This man inherited a country that had a balanced budget with a surplus. Imagine the possibilities if he has been true to his word..... even with 9/11 happening...he had no experience, just his own inspirational lust for what he desired and our country has suffered......so yes I ask everyone not to be swept up in that again and vote for someone who has experience and has proved they can produce not learn on the job or practice with our lives....

The battle for New Hampshire

Hern, New York, NY — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:14:21 GMT

Obama is the politician we wish we could be. He aspires to high ideals and hasn't let himself get bogged down by the cynicism that seems to have afflicted us after 9/11. We need to stop hiding behind our border fences and focus on making our country great again. Obama is the only guy that can do it if we let him!

The battle for New Hampshire

Cliff Longley, OK — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:14:37 GMT

> First, voters and non-voters are so anxious to get
> Bush out, that they are voting just to hurry the
> process along.

Either you, or the voters, have no idea what you are talking about. Bush of course is President until Jan/09 no matter what anyone does.

The battle for New Hampshire

Nashville_fan — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:16:36 GMT

(Reposted out of necessity)

Note to Clinton supporters/staff:

We are NOT afraid. Not of terrorism, not of you leaving the Democratic party, not of people who don't look like we do, not of people who are Muslim. We are not afraid of media scrutiny, because we have nothing to hide. Nothing you can say is going to make us afraid. We have the power to decide who we want to lead us and we are NOT AFRAID to use it.

The politics of fear and division is dying. I say good riddance.

Obama '08

The battle for New Hampshire

Dante — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:22:50 GMT

Obama talk about fixing this and that but he does not tell you how.
Jose Alemar Williamsburg, Colorado (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:01 AM)

Please Jose, let us know what you would like to know, any Obama supporter will quickly get you the information you need, b/c we know where our candidate stand on the issues. But before you ask any questions, visit www.barackobama.com, you can find his stance on all issues, his responses to the constant lies that have been told!! Go to www.barackobama.com/factcheck

The battle for New Hampshire

Susie McDonell, Seattle, Washington — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:24:14 GMT

Obama is on the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR)- do I need to say more?! Ron Paul 2008!

The battle for New Hampshire

Rick,ky — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:29:52 GMT

This is interesting.
Yesterday the polling data suggested Hillary was down by double digits.
Today she's only down 5 points.
I wonder if there's a little surge taking place here.
Come on New Hampshire, be smart and nominate the right candidate!
Be Democratic, vote Democratic.
Hillary for President, 2008!
A Dem Who Doesn't Want Independents & Republicans Picking His Candidate For Him (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 9:40 AM

I had been wondering where you had gone to, J. Merle Stanley, now i know!!!!

The battle for New Hampshire

Ginger, Hebron CT — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:30:16 GMT

I'm all for rock stars if they are playing in a band. Unfortunately, in the white house we need someone that has some experience. Have we not learned a lesson from our current President about putting someone in the white house with little to no experience? Look where that has gotten us. The incoming President will have a lot of cleanup to do and will need to hit the ground running, which can only be accomplished by someone with experience. Change? Putting ANYONE in there will be a change, what we need is an accomplished person who knows the system well and can quickly react to the mess our country is in. As someone stated in a blog, if you need surgery, you would choose a surgeon with experience, regardless of how likeable the intern was. Our country is in critical condition, we need an experienced "surgeon" to fix it. It really doesn't matter if a candidate is "likeable" or not, "experience" trumps "likeable" any time. Unfortunately, there are a lot of sexist people in this country that think that only a man can do this job, as evidenced by the hecklers in New Hampshire with their signs stating "Iron my Shirt"! Personally, I would rather that we have a President who can run the country rather than someone who can make cookies. Think about it.

The battle for New Hampshire

jim11 L.A. california — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:33:00 GMT

I'm happy Hillary's behind. She would be a terrible president. I am a loyal democrat but if I saw her leading the party next november, I would even vote republicans.

The battle for New Hampshire

Kathleen Braun, Aurora, Colorado — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:28:35 GMT

In a country claiming to have come a long way, it seems contradictory to question Hillary's qualification because she showed emotion. Had one of the male candidates punched his own fist showing how strongly he felt about an issue, the reaction would have been a hurrah for him and an afformation that he is a strong leader. We tiptoe around Obama knowing that to question his qualifications might be thought of as racist. But to openly state that "I won't ever vote for a Mormon." is a perfectly acceptable criticism of Romney. Equity is a rare quality in selecting our nation's next leader. Shouldn't we focus on genuine qualification and positions on the major issues. The pettiness would had stopped the election of Lincoln because he really was not physically attractive.

The battle for New Hampshire

M Jenkins — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:59:49 GMT

This from an NH voter:

First, many commenting here do not understand NH politics. We can register as Democrat, Republican or “Undeclared” (NOT “Independent”). I am in the “U” registration. I do this precisely so I can decide each four years whether my vote would count strategically more on which side. (That is, can I help my favored candidate most by voting for him/her, or by shaking up the race in the other party). Believe me, we are very smart voters. We know what we are doing, and how best to shape the nominating process.

Second, the “early feedback” is nonsense. Those two tiny towns are way out of the mainstream, and their votes rarely match up with the eventual totals.

Third, it is interesting to see some misinformation being passed around as fact. Obama did not vote “against” the war, and he has had no time to become involved in Kenya this week.

Fourth, I notice how the conspiracy theories swing. A few days ago, the mainstream media somehow assured that Hillary would win, and now they are assuring Obama. Face it, they just want a horserace, no matter who the eventual winner is.

Finally, I show my true Democratic colors by saying that I could live with ANY of them as president, and none of the Republican frontrunners.

The battle for New Hampshire

SRW, Fairfax, VA — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:05:58 GMT

I was elected class president when I was in High School; I guess I have the needed "experience" as well to be come President of the United States.

We may all want to re-think what is considered real experience before just accepting what one hears at rallies or in the News.

The battle for New Hampshire

Amy B Portland, ME — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:25:20 GMT

Ginger, Hebron CT: I hear what you are saying, however I would posit that the Bush administration was stuffed with experienced leaders, such as Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, et al, with Bush SR. on speed dial. George W. Bush's administration's problem wasn't lack of experience, it was their rigid ideological bent. I agree that Hillary has more experience than Barack, and I think she will be an invaluable leader in the Senate, however, I choose Obama for President because I think he is more proactive than Hillary, more willing to forge a new approach to foreign and domestic policy. I like Hillary, but I think her character is too cautious and, dare I say, conservative, to signal the seachange the country requires.

The battle for New Hampshire

Nate, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:55:26 GMT

do you think Hillary is gonna make another victory speech after loosing in NH like she did in Iowa?

The battle for New Hampshire

FED UP already, FL — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:55:55 GMT

CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THIS EXPERIENCE STUFF IS ABOUT?

Seems to me and maybe it is just me, but with all the top dog experience we find our country in this mess. The experience tell us to continue to fight a war in which we were not suppose to engage in...now that's experience...BOLOGNE!

What part of slash and burn politics we don't want! See the experienced is slipping, because they are use to name calling and tearing down the other party to rise above. Then we, the PEOPLE, never know what the party was thinking, but know they can sling mud really good. They end up in the white house and we get a real H.A.M (HOT A$$ MESS) in there. GUESS WHAT??? I don't care what is going on, Good will always over evil!

Time for NEW POLITICS! You definitely can't cry your way in! Come on!

The battle for New Hampshire

J. Anderson, Albuquerque, NM — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:38:52 GMT

To M. Jenkins, NH Voter: Isn't it a bit much for you to say that smart NH voters know best how to shape the nomination process? My opinion is that Mass Hysteria is shaping the process. Like what happens when 1 school kid throws up on his sandwich in the lunchroom. And Mr. Obamba's statement was that "he was against the war from the beginning" True, right along with millions of other Americans who also were not serving in U.S. Congress at that time.