New Hampshire

Together again, campaigning on stage — only this time not as rivals. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton make their much touted joint appearance in Unity, NH this morning, eager to give a kick in the pants to the grand healing of the Democratic Party. Almost too cute for words, Unity, NH, was chosen as the spot not just for its name, but because voters there awarded exactly 107 votes to each candidate at the primary contest in January.

It's a back-scratching come-together (as in, "I'll scratch yours if. . .") Obama needs Clinton to give her voters and donors the thumbs up to shift their loyalties, and Clinton needs the guarantee she'll be treated as a respected surrogate and important part of the campaign — as well as a "hey, Obama. Can I borrow a few million?" campaign debt-clearing effort. To see how Obama kicked that off, read more

Imagine you get an awesome new job. Now imagine right after you accept, you're plagued by a bad knee, a break up, a little depression. . . you might take a sick day or two, right? How about 16 months worth of sick days? Only if that awesome new job is as an elected state representative and your name is Michael R. DesRoches.

This New Hampshire Democrat was elected to office in 2006. Since then, according to colleagues he hasn't shown up to a single session in Concord, or cast a single vote. Why? What could possibly have detained him from serving his duty? Well, he explains it best (?) "I was concentrating on myself. Because if I didn't have a clear mind, with everything going on with my depression, how (would) I be able to actually vote correctly?" Perhaps this isn't entirely necessary to state, but DesRoches has resigned.

I'd like to say only in America, but. . .

Source

What a difference five days makes! With her campaign on a respirator after a third-place blow in Iowa, Hillary Clinton managed to pull of a crucial comeback win in New Hampshire tonight, edging out Barack Obama by two points—but close means nothing in horseshoes and New Hampshire. Clinton's win tonight ensures the race is still up for grabs.

Hillary's emotions dominated the news in the lead up to the polls opening—which may have helped her secure more of the women vote at 47 percent, up from 30 percent in Iowa.

Scant six months ago, John McCain's campaign was similarly presumed DOA—and after a disappointing fourth place finish in Iowa, he needed a win in New Hampshire just as desperately as Clinton. Securing 37 percent, he walked away with a comfortable six point lead and what will surely be considered his own "New Hampshire Bounce," which he'll need to boost his empty coffers. Jubilant, McCain said,

“I’m past the age when I can claim the noun ‘kid’ no matter what adjective precedes it. Tonight we sure showed them what a comeback looks like.”

To find out how the other candidates fared, read more

In the Granite State. It's New Hampshire, baby! Double the debates! Two, two, two parties on one night!!! The Republicans were up first, and it was a sit-down affair, (apparently I should have dressed up!) Six candidates: McCain, Thompson, Giuliani, Romney, Paul, and Huckabee, sat down with moderator (more or less) Charlie Gibson to dish the dirt. Here are the highlights:

• Well, if they agree on nothing else, everyone hates Mitt Romney. Or at least that's how it seemed as the candidates grabbed chance after chance to slam Romney with doozies like:
  "Governor, don't try to characterize my postion." said Romney.
  "Which one?" Snapped back Huckabee. Oh yeah. It's on.
  Then this from John McCain:
  "We disagree on a lot of issues, but I agree, you are the candidate of change."
  The barbs could mean that the candidates perceive Romney as the frontrunner—or they could just be trying to point out the inconsistent snake-oil that Romney's been dealing lately. Your choice.
• Foreign policy, specifically Huckabee's comment on the Bush doctrine being an example of "arrogant, bunker-mentality," dominated the first part of the discussion. Huckabee clarified (or back-pedaled) on his statement, while McCain and Giuliani both expressed their intentions to strengthen military independence and strength. Thompson came back with a surprisingly cogent description of his experience in foreign policy. Okay, I might get why he slid in third in Iowa.
• Border-security received the most nuanced policy debate, with McCain essentially saying, 'Lock down the borders, kick out the criminal illegals, and offer a temporary worker solution. God's children, but we have to be safe. So bothsies.' and Giuliani advocated for technology and fences of all descriptions.

Where were the Democrats? Please read more

And then there were four. This weekend's New Hampshire debate did a so-so job revealing nuanced differences between the leading Dems. Looks like "change" is the buzz word of the campaign. Whatever happened to experience? By the time I turned off the TV, I thought I was going to scream if I heard someone say change one more time.

Other than the obsession with cornering the change market, here are some things I noticed:

• Hillary keenly pointed to examples of how she has already made change. She seemed passionate, but also a little cranky.
• Obama came off as sober, calm and confident. He didn't make any major mistakes, which will help him keep the momentum.
• Edwards clearly identified Hillary as enemy number one, including her as part of the "forces of status quo." Will there be an Obama/Edwards 2008 ticket?
• Richardson's comment that he had been in "hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this" highlighted his good natured personality and his foreign policy experience.

As for the Republicans, they pretty much kept to their vague talking points/criticism of Mitt Romney. Ron Paul seemed to have wandered into the wrong party, but I did find his defiance refreshing.

The clip above shows Edwards and Clinton going at it about change. Enjoy.

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