Obama Wins First Ballot in New Hampshire Primary

The New Hampshire primary, which is the second hurdle for U.S. presidential candidates, started out on early Jan. 8 at ballot polls across New Hampshire.

Ordinary citizens as well as Democratic and Republican party members can cast their ballots when they register at a ballot poll. Results of the primary are to be announced on the evening of that day (Jan. 9, morning KST).

The biggest question of this primary was if Barack Obama, who defeated New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Iowa caucuses, could maintain his momentum in the New Hampshire presidential primary. The entire state was abuzz about Obama.

“The primary brought a lot of excitement to this small town. I’ve never voted for the Democrats, but I expect Obama to make the country a better place to live,” said John Aspin, who works at a Kinko’s copy store in Manchester, the largest city in New Hampshire.

Trying to get in as much face time with voters as possible, Obama set out to visit six sites beginning 7 a.m. in the morning on Jan. 7, a day before the primary.

Obama’s message on the campaign trail was: “Only one day left for the Democratic Party to decide a presidential candidate who can help us get out of the nightmare of the President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney administration.” He said that he can turn the tide to his advantage if he beats Clinton in New Hampshire, following his victory in the Iowa caucus on Jan. 5.

Obama also added some rhetoric of his own against Clinton, saying, “If she is elected, people will hear the same rhetoric from the same politicians for two decades. I believe this isn’t what you want.” At the Opera House in Rochester, Obama delivered a passionate speech to spectators at 5:30 p.m. that same day.

“I would like to establish a government that can explain what is right and wrong. That is the only way we can restore public trust in the federal government,” Obama exclaimed. He showed determination that he would not shun responsibility as other politicians had done in the past.

Over 1,000 voters crowded this venue. All this is unprecedented for New Hampshire, whose population accounts for only 1.23 million. About 200 supporters who could not get into the facility listened to Obama’s speech from speakers outside.

News media reported the results of various polls throughout the day, highlighting that, Obama led Clinton by over ten percent in the New Hampshire primary. In a statewide USA TODAY/Gallup Poll conducted on Jan. 4-6, Obama’s approval rating led Clinton by 13 percent. Obama’s rating was 41 percent while Clinton’s remained 28 percent.

The American Research Group released new polls carried out on Jan 5-6, in which Obama, with 39 percent, outpaced Clinton, who had just 28 percent.

Former President Bill Clinton sighed over the Hillary’s poor result, adding that, “I feel sorry that the New Hampshire primary takes place only five days after the Iowa caucuses. Election day has come suddenly without time to explain that Obama’s seemingly hopeful messages are nothing but empty words.”

Obama’s sensation was once again confirmed, this time in the northern hamlet of Dixville Notch, situated along the New Hampshire-Canadian border. The results of the vote suggested that Obama would win by a landslide, winning seven votes compared with two for John Edwards, one for Bill Richardson and none for Hillary Clinton.

On the Republican side, McCain won with four votes and Mitt Romney with two votes.

srkim@donga.com