For '08, big money cuts both ways

Obama's stunning presidential fundraising prowess draws scrutiny in New Hampshire.

from the April 6, 2007 edition

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For the legions of candidates competing for both major-party nominations, the money chase – and, arguably just as important, the chase for public attention and media buzz – has never been more intense. And with the compressed nominating schedule, in which the Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina contests are quickly followed by a "big bang" multistate primary on Feb. 5, 2008, New Hampshire is more important than ever. A candidate who fails to do well first in Iowa and then here will have a hard time recovering in subsequent contests.

But to New Hampshire voters, with their decades-long tradition of getting the first look at presidential wannabes in living rooms and VFW halls, there's a feel of business as usual – albeit much earlier in the cycle than in the past.

Voters at events featuring Obama – or "Obommer," in the local brogue – spoke well of him, but few seemed ready to commit firmly to vote for him when New Hampshire holds its primary next January (or possibly in December). New Hampshirites who appreciate their early-decider role like to take stock of as many candidates as possible, in person, before calling themselves firm supporters of anyone.

When asked if Obama's race will affect how he does in New Hampshire, one local Democrat replied that he thought it would help the senator – despite the fact that this state has only a small minority population.

"People in New Hampshire like the underdog," says Don Routhier, an attorney from Somersworth, N.H., attending an Obama forum at a VFW hall in East Rochester, N.H. "They like the fact that he's not the establishment candidate," he adds, referring to Clinton.

"He has the 'it' factor," says Michael Sullivan, a radio broadcaster from Dover, N.H. "I'm too young to have seen Bobby Kennedy, but I get the sense that he's like that, he's got that charisma." But even if both men seem favorably disposed to Obama, they stress that it's early, and they plan to go to other candidates' events before committing to anyone. After all, says Mr. Sullivan, "we're used to making this decision while the snow is falling, not melting."

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