In New Hampshire, independent voters turn to alternative media

She also discusses candidates with family members. When her brother came to her Nashua, N.H., home, he noted the Obama sign on her lawn, which her college-age son had put up. It precipitated a discussion at the dinner table about Obama, whom her "die-hard Republican" brother also likes. "My son likes Obama; my brother likes Obama. I probably will consider that in my decision," she says.

And campaign coverage from cable news? CNN is "celebrity news network," Richards says dismissively.

Lunch hours of online politics

For Betty Ward, an independent, picking a candidate is equally intense. Each day the third-grade teacher devotes her lunch hour to reading websites such as AlterNet, BuzzFlash, Digg, and The Huffington Post. She frequently skips over the mainstream media outlets, saying that they're not as objective as she would like. As Ms. Ward ruminates over candidates, she often talks over with friends the issues she cares about, including Iraq and the economy.

When Richards can see the candidates, she, like many New Hampshire voters, prefers townhall-style venues where the candidates can engage with voters and see "how they answer questions off the cuff." She was offered tickets to see Oprah in Manchester but turned them down for that reason.

Richards approaches whom she will vote for the way she does all other important decisions in her life, she says. She's researching and digging, but still waiting for the "aha" moment. "It hasn't hit me yet," she says.

Independent voter Andre Gibeau says being flooded with information is the best way to make an informed decision. The self-described news junkie says he watches MSNBC's "Hardball," CNN, listens to NPR in the car, and reads all different news websites. "I probably watch more news than most people find healthy," he says.

Voter: Media unfair to underdogs

But even he expresses disappointment with the coverage because he wants the media to "give truly equal time to all candidates and all ideas – not just give time to the candidates everybody thinks are popular."

Though he talks about the race with his wife and father, "it's very personal in terms of who I finally choose." He's leaning toward picking up a Democratic ballot but hasn't settled on a candidate yet, he says.

While experts note that voters are often led by a feeling, Mr. Gibeau says this should not supplant reason. "We're all given the ability to reason. The gut feeling is an excuse for not using reason."

Similarly, he says relying on "faith is a little too mystic for me. Faith is something that I rely on for everyday. Praying to show me who the best candidate is I don't think is going to do it."

Negative campaigning can change a person's opinion of a candidate. Say, for example, if a candidate were personally attacking another candidate's intelligence or morality, Ouellette would reconsider voting for him or her.

Gibeau says he tunes the candidates out at this point, figuring that they're not sincere.

For voters, the decision can rest on whether they like a candidate and whether they see the contender as electable. It could be strategic, too, says Dante Scala, professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire.

"Strategic voting could happen in New Hampshire more than other places because of the open process," says Mr. Scala. "Undeclared voters can be a Democrat or Republican for five minutes with no consequences. There's no lingering cost for crashing one party and leaving."

Voting strategy crosses party lines

Ouellette explains how he's caught between wanting his vote to be "meaningful" and wanting to vote for candidate he likes.

"Do I vote in the Republican primary and vote for Ron Paul because he's a maverick and I want to send a message? Or do I vote for Obama and do something for Obama so that he can beat Hillary [Clinton], because I know she's not someone I want? I'm not voting for: 'Yeah, this is the guy.' This is the decision process that I'm getting into. I don't want to do that. I want to feel compelled to vote for someone because I love them and I feel passionate about them," he says.

Gibeau's rationale is a bit different. "This is the fun one where you get to vote for whoever you like. The general [election] is about the lesser of the two evils," he says.

•Part 1 appeared Nov. 20.

Page: 1 | 2