New Hampshire

[Arkaron]

CNN's projecting a McCain win for Republicans, with Clinton having a slim margin over Obama so far.

How is it that McCain can go from such an abysmal showing in Iowa to victory (such as it is) in New Hampshire? Same deal with Edwards, who I think was in the teens percentage wise.

[Ddrak]

Midwesterners tend to vote differently to New Englanders?

Dd

[superwalrus]

The McCain victory was predicted weeks ago... don't get lost in the hoopla of these first few primaries / caucuses, they only really give candidates some momentum that they swing into Super Tuesday which is the only day that really matters. (the biggest exception being Dean whose early losses sank him, lol and that speech)

Walrus

[Mukik]

isnt there like ..12 people in that state?

its like voicing a win in north dakota...

[Flunkie]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Iowa is worthless, New Hampshire isn't all that much better. The real test now begins. Any Republican candidates making it to February can split the delegates six ways to Sunday. This race is heavily fragmented for the Republicans, but for the Democrats it's largely about how long Edwards decides to stay in it. I can't guess which way it'll go, but I suspect it will see-saw between Clinton and Obama right down to the wire. The media will probably act shocked on every reversal, they have so far...

[Arkaron]

So are Iowa and New Hampshire sort of like "barometers" for those kinds of voters, even if they don't have many electoral votes in the end?

[Embar Angylwrath]

So are Iowa and New Hampshire sort of like "barometers" for those kinds of voters, even if they don't have many electoral votes in the end?

Sort of..

But the real importance of Iowa and New Hampshire is the momentum candidates get or lose. People always want to back a winner. Thats why New Hampshire was so crucial to Clinton. By winning New Hampshire, she kept herself in the race, as far as the press was concerned. Also if a candidate lost two states, he/she endangers high-profile endorsements from unions and big names. If a candidate loses endorsements, it tends to affect the ability to raise campaign cash. And reduced cash can cripple a campaign.

[Partha]

So are Iowa and New Hampshire sort of like "barometers" for those kinds of voters, even if they don't have many electoral votes in the end?

What they REALLY are are barometers of two things: How deep your ground game can get and how well you can turn out general election type voters (Independants).