NPR: N.H. Primary More Rambunctious This Year

N.H. Primary More Rambunctious This Year

He's back. The anti-global warming snowman is in New Hampshire. It may not be the same snowman we saw on the CNN-YouTube debate, but it's safe to say that snowmen worldwide are worried about the planet getting warming.

And he's just one of the characters that can be found in New Hampshire these days. The once relatively relaxed New Hampshire primary has a "festive" atmosphere this year. Perhaps it's the energetic surge of Barack Obama, or the closeness of the Republican race, or the immediacy created by the primary's new closeness to the Iowa caucuses. But as NPR's Linda Wertheimer reports this year's primary is not quite like primaries past.

Not all of New Hampshire's residents are enamored with the increased excitement. Many remember a time when they could talk more at length with candidates, and see them more than once. Politicians seeking the White House regularly visited small, informal house dinner parties. But these days, the events tend to be larger with more people, far less personal.

And they worry that the new voting schedule doesn't give them time to reflect on the candidates.

But other folks are quite happy with the new look primary and the increase in visitors. Such as the restaurant owner who devised the Huckaburger (whole wheat, spinach and bison - just the burger for people watching their weight, like the former Arkansas governor). He even sells t-shirts that have an appropriately political feeling - such as "It's the Beer, Stupid."

James Carville would approve.

12:50 PM ET | 01- 8-2008 | permalink

Comments

Did Obama contribute money to the oppostion In Kenya which was in turn used to finance and Kill the innocent. Can senator Obama state how much he gave to his Luo counsin and how the money was spent

Sent by Vincent mongare | 5:47 PM ET | 01-08-2008

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.