Barack Obama walks on stage at a full-house in Concord, NH, for his final rally before primary day.
by Joe Braidwood in Concord, New Hampshire
Excitement is building in snow-coated New Hampshire ahead of primary day -- and it seems that not one of the 1.3 million residents of this remote New England state will miss a blink.
The roadsides are peppered with signs rallying support for the presidential candidates, who have been sprawled across the state in the last day of their campaigns before the polls open.
The town centres play host to thousands of supporters and staffers for the respective candidates, who have flocked here from far and wide to rally support for their heroes.
"I thought that coming from Maine was a good effort," an Obama supporter told me, from the neighbouring state. "But the girl over there is from London," she added, pointing at a fellow campaigner who had flown out to express her support.
When asked why she had travelled so far to spend her day standing in the freezing cold with a placard, the answer was simple. "I love Obama," she said. "He gives me hope. He gives me the optimism I felt when I was young."
The New Hampshire primary is an unlikely but highly influential event in the Presidential race, as it is the first time that Americans are able to express their allegiance in a private ballot and so receives a great deal of attention from the candidates.
Given the relatively small size of the state and its population, those seeking election are forced to rally in person to get their votes, and are tested with a particularly close and cynical eye by the locals.
One in three of the electorate here are said to meet the candidates in person ahead of casting their vote, and state law allows voters to both register and change their party allegiance (if registered Independent, which many voters are) on the day, making the stakes very high at this late stage.
Many of the people I have spoken to are still undecided:
"If I had to choose on credentials, it'd definitely be Bill Richardson," one told me. Richardson is Governor of New Mexico and has had a very strong political career to date.
"But then I think that I should vote strategically, especially given how well Obama is doing. I'd hate to see Hillary win."
Excitement is focussed around Obama after his unexpected win in Iowa last week, which some say may see the decline of Hillary Clinton's current dominance in the national polls.
"Something is in the air in New Hampshire. Something is going on," Obama told a crowd of supporters in Derry, a small New Hampshire town, earlier.
And soon we will know if that something is victory.
:: Joe Braidwood will be microblogging live from an Obama rally in Concord, New Hampshire, from 0300 GMT.
:: Jeremy Thompson will be interviewing Bill Richardson later this afternoon, and this will be covered live on the site from 1515 GMT.
hilarys tears were crocodile and i hope to goodness noone is stupid enough to fall for it in new hampshire tonight when it comes to voting for the next us president
barak obama is the man to be president,he`s young fresh got loads of new ideas which is what america want`s i believe he will do everything he has promised to do for america and therefore should be president obama
and i will be watching with very great interest on sky news on my television in my room at 1.00 am tomorrow morning
ps i am english but still like to catch up with the american elections on sky news,because they outweigh our election`s and gordon brown by miles they are streets ahead as
gordon just left the building
Posted by: alison wright 8 Jan 2008 21:21:21
Under normal circumstances, Im sure the many a "Tears From The Moon" would have been well received, however, as the stakes are for the better of the nation, then not sure what effect the waterworks will have other than to say be strong "DJ Tiesto".
Posted by: Khalid 8 Jan 2008 17:34:47
What do people think of Hilary's "emotional" and tearful (yes Hilary!) plea this morning? I think she's going after the women - all those references to our kids etc. will it work? Not sure. As a woman I really would like to see a woman in the white House - but I have to say I really like Obama.
As someone said on Irish TV last night - if Hilary was not running, who do you think Bill would be backing?
However I think time will tell and onbalance I may go for her experience and background - but then I son't ahve a vote...
Posted by: Katy, Ireland 8 Jan 2008 08:33:29