Retail Politics Alive and Well in New Hampshire

In response to attempts to create multi-state presidential primaries that would knock New Hampshire out of its traditional first-in-the-nation role, the small state’s House and Senate passed a bill in 2006, signed into law by Governor John Lynch, which ensures the state’s unique place in national politics.

The state stands to benefit from its continued first-in-line status, in spite of the grumbling of its citizens who sometimes claim to get mighty sick of the attention. Millions of dollars in revenue pour into the state during the presidential primary season, not just from candidates, but from the media representatives that follow them around. Meals, lodging, printing expenses, and definitely not least, ad fees paid to newspapers and radio and TV stations result in a significant windfall to this tiny state. But the biggest benefit accrues not just to New Hampshire, but to the whole country: Retail politics works.

Long before the candidates’ handlers get expert at shielding their clients from the wrong kinds of exposure, and before the sheer juggernaut quality of accelerating campaigns throws up a barrier between candidate and voter, New Hampshire demands that presidential hopefuls look a bunch of skeptical Yankees straight in the eye, shake hands, and answer questions unfiltered by protective aides. Citizens bring their own personal concerns and their viewpoints to the candidates who, if they are wise, will listen. It’s a unique opportunity for a future president and his or her constituents to come to an understanding of viewpoints, goals, concerns, and values. Once the super primaries get underway, the potential for this kind of intimate connection is lost.

Politicians who want to replace the first-in-the-nation primary with yet another super primary are missing the point: that the voters in this small New England state offer the first and possibly the best way to test a candidate’s mettle. Instead of attempting to destroy the tradition, voters in the whole country need to pay better attention to what goes on once every four years in New Hampshire.

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics.

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