CLAREMONT, NH -- After attending about 15 campaign events here in New Hampshire, I've noticed an interesting little trend: a surprisingly high percentage of people attending the campaign events are out-of-staters. I've talked to people from Massachusetts, New Jersey, Cleveland, New York City, and Washington DC. None of them are in New Hampshire for any official reason or in any official capacity. They're just there because they want to see the candidates and this is the only way to do it. I talked to one couple from the Cleveland suburbs who've seen Edwards, Clinton and Obama, another woman who was planning on doing the same. They're political tourists. It's like when people fly into New Orleans for a jazz festival, or New York to take in a few broadway shows over a weekend, except these are political junkies who fly to New Hampshire to take in a few stump speeches and soak up the atmosphere. It's kind of cool, except for the fact it highlights just how absurd our primary system is.

Comments (21)

1. How many here do you think would, if they could or could afford it?

   I would. There's some hard-hitting politics and democracy up in the Granite State right now.

   Plus it'd be cool to see if you could detect that HINT of anger and desperation in Her Nibs in an unguarded moment!

   heheh

   Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 09:11am

2. Plus it'd be cool to see if you could detect that HINT of anger and desperation in Her Nibs in an unguarded moment!

   heheh

   Posted by MASK 01/07/2008 @ 09:11am

   hey, you could even choose a question from the list to ask her.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 01/07/2008 @ 09:31am

3. POLITICAL TOURISM...

   well, in these days when travelling freak shows are a thing of the past,

   it's good to know there's still a place for the morbid.

   (just kidding. good to see there are people so concerned as to travel in order to cast a well thought-out vote.)

   Posted by frosty zoom at 01/07/2008 @ 09:38am

4. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 01/07/2008 @ 09:31am

   My question would be "Excuse me, Senator Clinton? I forgot what question I was told to ask you?"

   Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 09:40am

5. "OBAMA PORTRAIT MUSIC VIDEO" on Youtube - Don't Miss It!

   For those of you who still have not heard:

   There is a WONDERFUL and INSPIRING music video on Youtube.com entitled "Obama Portrait Music Video by Bjarne O." You can use the free downloaded high-quality stereo version from the composer's website in DVD form to show at house parties. Even people who knew nothing at all about Obama have been moved: either a thrilling introduction, or further inspiration for those of us who already know and fight for Obama. The music soundtrack, which incorporates excerpts from the famous 2004 speech, can also be downloaded separately in high-quality.

   It is an uplifting and informative campaign tool - so please, SPREAD THE WORD!

   http://youtube.com/watch?v=mCPwbozpIzM

   Together for Obama, Anne

   Posted by annevilla at 01/07/2008 @ 09:40am

6. My question would be "Excuse me, Senator Clinton? I forgot what question I was told to ask you?"

   Posted by MASK 01/07/2008 @ 09:40am

   her response:

   "i am the only candidate with the experience necessary to deal with unasked questions."

   Posted by frosty zoom at 01/07/2008 @ 09:46am

7. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 01/07/2008 @ 09:46am

   You forgot the new buzz-word...it should read-

   "i am the only candidate with the experience necessary to CHANGE unasked questions."

   Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 09:53am

8. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 01/07/2008 @ 09:46am Posted by MASK 01/07/2008 @ 09:53am

   All jokes aside, I think Clinton did the best on Saturday. And Edwards, the worst. Just my two cents.

   Posted by Hman23 at 01/07/2008 @ 10:57am

9. Posted by HMAN23 01/07/2008 @ 10:57am

   She might have done the best...but it played the worst. The YouTube video of her retort...rant...outburst...whatever you want to call it, made the rounds and made her look angry AND desperate.

   Plus, at this point, the polling is just TOO terrible for her to overcome. Down over 10% in some polls...she can't do better than HALVE that by tomorrow...which means she loses by more than 5%...and that's still a loss.

   Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 11:08am

10. Posted by MASK 01/07/2008 @ 09:11am

    hey, you could even choose a question from the list to ask her.

    Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 01/07/2008 @ 09:31am

    Funny....though HMAN don't seem to be in the mood ;-)

    I wonder from what sub-group would her handlers put MASK? Would it be...(for those w/more time to fill in)....

    Posted by Happy at 01/07/2008 @ 11:45am

11. All jokes aside, I think Clinton did the best on Saturday. And Edwards, the worst. Just my two cents.

    Posted by HMAN23 01/07/2008 @ 10:57am

    hey, no doubt hrc is smart. and edwards can be a bumbler.

    it just seems that with each passing day, the process becomes more of a farce, parodying itself.

    and that's my 2 cents*..........

    *0.02 CAD = 0.0198810 USD (what i say is worth less**.)

    **today.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 01/07/2008 @ 12:02pm

12. Always in the mood for some good humor HAPPY.

    Agree with MASK that the polls do not look so good for Clinton (even worse for Edwards). Although I do like Edwwards, I think he oversold himself to point of seeming wholly rehearsed. Over and over and over again with the "fighting corporate greed my whole life" -- no matter the topic. I was disappointed. Maybe it is too late anyway, but he needed to bring his A game. It was a C+ at best. METTEYYA ceratainly does not have me sold that Obama is the Second Coming, but Edwards stock has gone down in my opinion.

    Posted by Hman23 at 01/07/2008 @ 12:07pm

13. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 01/07/2008 @ 12:02pm

    You're too negative. While it always is a dog and pony show, I really do believe that this is the best primary season the Democrats have had in quite some time.

    Posted by Hman23 at 01/07/2008 @ 12:09pm

14. You're too negative. While it always is a dog and pony show, I really do believe that this is the best primary season the Democrats have had in quite some time.

    Posted by HMAN23 01/07/2008 @ 12:09pm

    well, the post-bush mundo will sure make a lot a folks happy. tick tock tick tock tick tock.............

    unless huckabee........... (naw. THAT'S negative)

    i guess it's like pizza:

    you buy corporate pizza, you get a fancy box, but the pizza tastes like the box.

    you buy mom'n'pop pizza, you get a plain box, but the pizza has substance and flavour and satisfies.

    you're right to be hopeful*, though.

    *not too much, though.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 01/07/2008 @ 12:18pm

15. Ironically, the LAST people to believe that Hillary can win the nomination....won't be HRC supporters or staff...

    but "certain" Republican/conservatives.

    Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 12:30pm

16. Posted by JOMAMMA 01/07/2008 @ 12:50pm

    FRANKGRITS is back...check out "Will Independents Ditch...".

    And I just don't buy that She-Who-Used-To-Be-Obeyed can lose THREE IN A ROW...and the "Big Mo" (as Poppy Bush called it) isn't going to tsunami her.

    Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 12:54pm

17. And more good news, MAASCH....

    check out "Return of the King...for Kuinich"....HSUBFOOLS is back too!

    Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 1:00pm

18. Posted by JOMAMMA 01/07/2008 @ 1:18pm

    Hilly ain't Billy....that's pretty obvious now.

    Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 1:20pm

19. it is too early.....

    Posted by JOMAMMA 01/07/2008 @ 1:18pm

    Of course it wasn't too early for some people 'round here more than a year ago . . .

    "Hillary Clinton WILL be the Democratic Nominee . . ."

    Now, who has posted that about 1000 times?

    Posted by Hman23 at 01/07/2008 @ 1:36pm

20. Posted by JOMAMMA 01/07/2008 @ 1:38pm

    Okay, JOHN, but do me a favor and if or WHEN she drops out...don't start coming up with NEW "Hillary will take Veep" or "Hillary will sabotage Obama for 2012" scenarios...

    that's "HSUBFOOLish"!

    Posted by Mask at 01/07/2008 @ 2:18pm

21. A supporter of local profit makers in my own community..and this relates to political season ...how again?....:)

    Posted by JOMAMMA 01/07/2008 @ 12:25pm

    i guess i was making a cheesy metaphor for elections in the 21st century.

    corpopizza = top tier

    mom'n'pop = "the ignored"

    Posted by frosty zoom at 01/07/2008 @ 3:08pm