Obama Unexpectedly Loses New Hampshire Primary
A few days ago Clinton pollster Mark Penn wondered where Barack Obama’s Iowa bounce was in an email to reporters. The next day he found it. That bounce showed up in the New Hampshire polls and Obama was up over Hillary Clinton by as much as double digit margains. His crowds in New Hampshire were large and enthusiastic - but it wasn’t enough for a New Hampshire victory Tuesday night.
Obama’s “victory party” at Nashua’s South High School was at capacity - fire marshals shut the doors and hundreds were not let in. As the night wore on, the crowd slowly got quieter. When giant television screens broadcasting CNN to the crowds in the gymnasium announced the Associated Press called the race for Hillary Clinton, there were audible boos. When CNN said it was still to early for their news organization to call the race, the crowd cheered - clinging to that last bit of hope.
But a few minutes later at 10:45pm, Mr. and Mrs. Obama took to the stage and Obama congratulated Mrs. Clinton on her apparent victory. “She did an outstanding job - give her a big round of applause,” he told the crowd. They obliged. Obama called Clinton to personally congratulate her just a few minutes before he was introduced by two NH members of Congress.
“A few weeks ago,” he began, “no one imagined that we’d have accomplished what we did here tonight. For most of this campaign, we were far behind, and we always knew our climb would be steep,” he said. Later, he acknowledged, “We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change.”
The video is shaky (the press pit was crowded), but here you can watch Obama’s close:
After the speech, Obama staffers were nowhere to be seen, save for a few advance staffers left with a roomful of curious reporters. In an email, Communications Director Robert Gibbs explained that the speech “stands on its own.”
Obama will be making the morning news show rounds tomorrow before heading to Boston to hold a fundraiser. He’ll then speak at a rally in Jersey City, New Jersey. On an up note for Obama fans, the influential Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas is expected to endorse Senator Obama tomorrow at 11am PST, and the Nevada Service Employees International Union endorsed Obama tonight.
Tags: clinton, defeat, New Hampshire Primary, obama
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New Hampshire’s “Diebold” voting machines were hacked and rigged, just as they were proven to be in previous elections.
There is no other “logical” explanation. Even the exit polling data doesn’t support Clinton’s win in N.H.
So tears brought out the women - I, too was moved, but… still can’t get over the talk. I’m a middle aged woman, born and raised amidst hippies and been there and done that with the women’s liberation movement. Now??? It bothers me to have to wrestle with the memory she never “really” kicked her own husband’s arse - how she going to kick Al Qaeda’s!!! She’s a puppet for Bill, and I’m tired…. oh so tired, of the same ol’ big money, smooth talk machine. Go Edwards!!! Go Obama!!! We’ll have absentee ballots soon…take your stand before the Clinton schpeel permeates every sensory receptor imaginable.
I am glad, people of NH used voice of reason to choose. They choose candidate who can deliver and fight against all these meadia predictions.
Hillary is the winner!!!
My best Congratulations!
Clinton’s win represents a sad, sad day for America. The nation and the watched intently and wondered if the American voter was smart enough and brave enough to elect an excellent leader who inspires and happens to be black? Iowa brought us hope but New Hampshire brought us back to despair. Dont get me wrong, just because someone gets more votes doesnt mean America got it right. We can determine if America got it right by the outcome. Bush won but the American voter clearly got it wrong. We are worse off after Bush than before. I am a Democrat but if Hillary gets the nomination I will have to obstain from the general election. I cannot, in good conscience vote for the snake Hillary Clinton.
The Polls switched late because the campaign made a strategic mistake in New Hampshire.
I was worried when Obama did so many rallies and stump speeches. His speech, while inspirational, does not go into all the great specific plans he has to stimulate the economy, combat global climate change, provide affordable healthcare coverage for all Americans, improve our schools by attracting and compensating an army of new competent teachers. I think the campaign got a little cocky and forgot that New Hampshire voters like to ask questions too.
Obama spent all Summer and Fall in New Hampshire, doing round tables and town halls, but back then only those die hard campaign watchers were listening. In the last few days, Obama should have continued to be specific, answer questions, and maybe gone a little inspirational at the end.
The good news is that when you look behind the beautiful words you find a candidate who is smart, authentic, and has studied the problems we face. He is even deeper than he is wide, and the soaring rhetoric is matched by gravitas unparalleled by anyone else in this race with the possible exception of John McCain. Now that we have a few days to take a breath, Nevada, South Carolina, and some of the February 5th States can “kick the tires and look under the hood.”
Clinton did not win on her merits, but on the tears. It doesn’t matter if her “emotional welling” was staged or not–the bottom line is that it seems to have worked its charm on sympathetic women. I am just so tired of all the Clinton psychodramas. She seems to play her woman card over and over again, accusing Edwards and Obama to be in “buddy system” and how all the other candidates are “ganging up” against her.
Hi There,
You guys might have missed it yesterday but the
real reason Hillary pulled off the “upset” was because
the liberal media began showing Obama’s relatives from
crisis-torn Kenya at the eleventh hour. The obvious
intention was to remind voters of Obama’s
roots(chaotic) and also suggest that he might have
dual allegiance if elected. That is why he
surprisingly lost in the last minute. It had nothing
to do with Hillary’s sob drama.
Loyal fan,
Houston, TX
It was a joy to cast a ballot for Hillary Clinton yesterday. She is “Ready on Day 1!”
I was having a very hard time believing that Obama was going to beat Clinton by double digits, so the margin of her win, big or little, seems utterly irrelevant right now. That she actually WON New Hampshire is still sinking in. I’m fine with either Clinton or Obama being the Democratic nominee.
What I was most happy about was Edwards getting creamed. I thought his supporters were unbelievably rude, childish and divisive when they refused to shake Senator Clinton’s hand yesterday. That kind of crap isn’t what New Hamspshire voters are all about.
Congratulations to Hillary Clinton on a GREAT victory!
While I am somewhat disappointed that Obama didn’t win - in the long run, I think it may be good. People tend to not believe their vote (voice) is important enough — had he won by a landslide, it may have hurt him on super Tuesday. I hope the real message that comes out as a result of this vote is how important it is to vote - each and every last one of us!!!
http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/primarysource/2008/01/obama_and_paul.html?p1=email_to_a_friend
“Campaign volunteers for the Barack Obama and Ron Paul have been kicked out of precincts from Concord to Swanzey for not having the proper credentials, several unrelated sources have witnessed.
In general elections it is standard practice to have poll workers sitting behind the registration table and scratching off names as people sign in. Periodically they take those lists and the campaign gets in contact with those who have voted yet.
But, that is for general elections and everyone who does this a) has to live reasonably nearby (read: state residents) and b.) have letters from the state party to be an “observer”.
Apparently many of these Obama and Paul observers did not have this letter. These same sources say that it is the Clinton campaign that has called foul
New Hampshire Senate President Sylvia Larsen, a Concord Democrat who supports Hillary Clinton, said she saw the Obama observers.
“I knew who they were and what they were doing,” Larsen said.
Neither the Clinton nor Obama campaigns would comment.”
Remember the MASS/NY Plates at Clintons Rallies? The Polls polled N.H.
NOT MASS/NY……hence the difference?
SOMEONE needs to investigate THIS.
A few tears and serving coffee in addition to a stressed former president labeling the current “O”nomenon a fairy tale and we have winner by 2%. A winner that couldn’t be determined on the democratic front as quickly as the Republican one! If I were Hillary, I would be more worried, there’s really nothing to be excited about. I’m happy she played her aces early by crying, at least that’s the most of emotion you can show… so what’s the next play?
We tend to be fickle minded people. All the media hype of her choking up, serving coffee and answering questions like she never did before erased the past weeks of question planting, refusing to answer questions and being in it to win. She has changed her campaign theme as much as the granite state folks change their minds apparently.
A good lesson learnt for the Obama camp, polls are not dependable! And visibility in all measures is crucial. Now its time to rebound, because we see through Hillary’s decisiveness and it can’t be hidden in all states, even if it was to New Hampshire. The Hillary tears they say will play a significant role in this whole campaign… I laugh to that. It will be the same tears on the way home on Feb 5. And to Bill… Americans love Fairy tales, that’s why you ended up in the White House and that’s why it will be Michelle decorating it in 09.
I am a Obama supporter. Congrats to both Obama and Hillary. Hillary had been leading in the polls for months in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is Clinton’s Country. Hillary won but not by a landslide - just a couple of percentage points. She had been leading in NH’s polls for months and only lost the lead after Iowa’s caucas. Obama is an honest man, and a smart young man and as far as I’m concern – he is already a winner. I am amazed that Obama is able to compete with the Clinton machine. Bill Clinton knows how to wring arms and knows how to lie to you as he looks in your face. Hillary said, “If you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” – yet the heat was a bit much for her so she choked up and became teary-eyed - and this could have been planned - but whatever the reason, it worked for her. And then Bill, The Attack Dog, came to her aid by attacking Obama. Bill was vicious. You’d think he is running for president the way he has been speaking out - lashing out and attacking Obama. At any rate, Obama has them running scared and they are now copying his style. Yes, things are changing - he is making the Clinton’s change…
I agree with J.T. and Penny. While the polls may not be accurate
generally they are not that far off.
Look out for a “surprising” win in CA, if the same machines are used.
Which should never happen given the Obama support there and the
Peter Paul lawsuit against the Clintons.
But when you’re in with the “in” crowd …
yes, we can. yes, we will because we can. together we must because we can. change is on the way. we will change american because we can and we will because we can, together.
ummmmmm sounds good to me!
collins, are you suggesting the the media is racist?
Not a single candidate has said what it is they plan to change. Changing one or two people in our government would seem like a bee bee in a boxcar.
The media has been full of anti-mormon garbage aimed against Romney’s campaign. Now the net has stuff about the evils of Obama’s church calling it a cult (as they also did with Romney’s) This religious mud-slinging is shameful and should be beneath the dignity of any American citizen who wants to keep America the land of the free. Vote on the issues! Be above the mud slinging!
I will never vote or support Barack Hussein Obama for several reasons:
(1) Barack Hussein Obama is not respectful of the American flag or the national anthem (the picture was taken with Senator Barack Hussein Obama, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Iowa Senator Harkin’s wife.
(2) When Barack Hussein Obama took office as a Senator (Obama) did not have the Holy Bible to place is hand on, instead the Koran was used.
(3) Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim or past Muslim.
——————————————————————————————
I will support Hillary Clinton for President.
Hillary is a doer and she is Proud of America and the American Flag as well.
Hillary is experienced, educated, and truly commited to help others and America.
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Blondshag, I also heard that a Senator took the oath using a Koran was used, however, I don’t think it was Obama, but another Senator from Minnesota. Anyway, Barack Hussein Obama does have a lot of mysterious past religeous history. It is a fact that he attended a radical Muslim school while he lived in Indonesia. He now attends a church in Chicago, go to http://www.tucc.org/about.htm. And it is a fact that he does not show respect for the flag of the country he hopes to be President of. He did not while a Muslim student in Indonesia, while a student at that private school kin Hawaii nor as a student in Law School and not one person can recall him showing respect for the flag while he was in the the state of Illinois. So what do we really know about him????