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38 people ran for President in New Hampshire. Some ran lots of ads, got national media attention, appeared in debates, drew big crowds, and received thousands of votes. Others shared a store front, campaigned alone, were ignored by the journalists, were sometimes ridiculed, and earned only a few votes.

The ads that ran varied in quality. Some struck an elevated tone, with dignified music, impressive graphics, and imposing images of the candidates. Others were simpler, featuring ordinary people, a memorable phrase, and a concise message. To me, all were welcome.

The candidates have moved on, and the campaign ads have been replaced with spots for the local Dodge dealer or the next new pill to cure your ills. As we wrap up the campaign in NH, and hurtle toward the ultimate experience in consumer advertising--the "Superbowl"--I am troubled.

How can it be that in America, where a mere $1000 can get you a place on the primary election ballot in New Hampshire alongside Kerry, Dean, Clark, and even Bush, that a major television network (CBS), controlling as they do a portion of the public airwaves, and allegedly obligated to advance the public interest and civic life of the nation, can refuse on very dubious grounds to broadcast a political ad with which they disagree, simply because they consider it "controversial"?

The decision of CBS to refuse broadcast of an ad on political grounds is fundamentally contrary to the principle and spirit of free speech. The rationalization by one CBS executive is laughable. "We don't think that those with deep pockets should be able to control the debate on vital matters of public policy" said VP Martin Franks. I agree Mr. Franks. Follow your own maxim. Few organizations have deeper pockets than CBS.

Thomas Jefferson said of contrary political views: "let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it." View the "Controversial" ad that CBS won't run? Go to http://www.bushin30seconds.org/
Then, write to CBS and tell them to keep the airwaves free for all political opinions.

The manager of the Center of New Hampshire, the state's largest hotel in Manchester, said in a C-SPAN interview the other day that he expects to start receiving inquires about the next New Hampshire Primary in about six months.

For those watching the action on tv the past couple of days, the Center played home to the Kerry campaign party last night and was the headquarters for NBC News since they rolled into the state last week.

There always comes a time in the Primary where outsiders question the value of the New Hampshire Primary and bring up the limitations the state has (very small, not diverse, and just plain cold) to play such an important role in the Democractic process.

They indicate that the era of "retail politics" is over and that, in the long run, New Hampshire primary voters get their information the same way voters for the primaries that will dot the landscape in the coming weeks do: by watching the candidates on tv and reading about them in the paper. They seem to believe that the primary only gets interesting when the national and international press rolls into town.

Having the media here is pretty exciting. You never know who will be on the other end of the phone when it rings or who you'll meet out on the street. We were featured in a special report they did for the on-line version of the Washington Post and I took part in a poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times during this primary.

But what they don't see is what's happening in the New Hampshire primary when no one is watching. The manager at the Holiday Inn said it all in his interview. The courting by potential 2008 candidates will begin in the non-too-distant future.

Two individuals we met in the Edwards camp indicated they got interested two years ago when Edwards paid a visit to their homes and met with their neighbors. Neither of those occasions were caught by the tv cameras - but it resulted in a core of strong supporters who stuck with the Senator until he reached the point where the press took an interest.

Maybe I won't fight for the right to be "First in the Nation" to the death as Joe Lieberman promised, but I will always remain a firm supporter of that status. Like so many things we discovered about the Granite State when we moved here from Ohio over 20 years ago, it's kind of quirky, but it works. And, like I said in my first blog on this site, I had never met my Senator (Glenn) from Ohio in Ohio -- I met him here as a result of the Primary.

I'll close with a recap of my Primary voting experience.

I stood in the voting booth for some time, making my final decision. While while John Edwards caught my imagination, John Kerry got my vote.

In the end, it was the overall experience of Kerry that gained him the mark in the box next to his name. That's pretty much been the issue for me throughout the campaign. I knew early on that I wasn't looking for a Washington outsider to lead the country; I wanted someone who had "been there, done that."

As it turned out, I actually went to the polls twice yesterday.

The first time was to vote. While I was there, I delivered some foot warmers to my husband. I held his sign while he went to the car to put them in his boots and met the two other people who were at the polls in support of Edwards. They were students from Florida who were in the state as part of the government class project.

The younger one asked if I thought it was a problem if her toes were turning purple. I put her in George's car with the heater on and ran home to get more foot warmers. When I caught up with George later in the day, he said he had run into them at campaign headquarters and they were heading out to another polling place, so I guess they -- like the rest of us -- had survived the 2004 New Hampshire Primary.

Take a bow, Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats. And, for that matter, all you other Democrats and independents from around the country who journeyed to the two "first-in-the-nation" states to work for their chosen candidates.

Maybe we don't agree on many issues -- and you don't agree among yourselves about a favorite candidate yet -- but we all recognize the value of participating in the political process. And, for that, I salute you.

I can't speak for the people in New Hampshire, but I suspect they feel the same as Iowans. That is, we do understand the special role we've have in the process and, Republicans or Democrats, we take it seriously. Just as important, we appreciate the people -- media, campaign professionals and volunteers -- who came here in the heat of summer and the brutal cold of winter to make the process work.

The results of the Iowa caucuses were an effective response to all the criticisms you hear about the process. Iowa Democrats did get an up-close look at all the candidates, weighed all the tangibles and intangibles, and voted for electability over heat and noise. They winnowed the field by thanking Rep. Dick Gephardt for his service but opting for their view of the future rather than the past. They gave the benefit of their wisdom to fellow Democrats in other states. In short, they did their job right. Judging from afar, the Democrats in New Hampshire did the same thing.

We're sure to see quite a few twists and turns in the next five or six weeks as the Democrats continue their process of selecting a nominee. But the enthusiastic participation of Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats proves again why our two states start the process every four years -- and have earned the status to do so again in 2008.

Thanks to all our readers -- even the Dean people who were testy about my pre-caucus predictions and remarkably silent afterward -- for taking part in this fun, informative exercise in democracy. Take care. And stay involved. Everybody's a winner when you do.

Maybe the result wasn't so much any meltdown of the Dean movement, as it was Kerry taking skillfull advantage of a crack in the attention sequence many Dean leaners had locked into. Kerry got a second look after a lackluster Fall start, and voters liked what they saw as they got to spend more time around him in Iowa and NH. In the end it comes down to Democrat and independent desperation to move out of the conservative, ultraright, greedy, arrogant funk the country is in politically. That means "Electability" in November will continue to be the name of the game.
With all the heat NH takes for clutching tightly to its proud status as first in the nation primary--and I can't blame outsiders for scratching their heads at the rationale of it all--you have to be here for awhile, as a targeted voter, during the process, to really get it. Why, as a fellow blogger put it, "its quirky" but somehow it works as a way to really vett these candidates. Maybe you could argue the NH electorate has been trained over the decades, classes given on the NH brand of in-your-face etiquette of hobnobbing with presidential wannabes on the street corners, at the diners, in the living rooms. The finer points of judging presidential chili. Observing it all more carefully this year, I can relate to the national news media who make the pilgrimage here every four years for this showpiece of democracy--and they do get it, these talking heads and reporters. And they get caught up in the personalization of a very public process, and they can feel how much these voters care about their responsibility. It is intimate. It is infectious. It is unique. It may not be NH's forever, but it worked rather well, again.

Primary Day checklist:
1. Answer questions from Washington Post reporter doing a follow-up story on where I stand the day before the primary (my husband and I had been part of a story for their on-line edition early in the primary process)
2. Remind my 18-year-old daughter to vote today.
3. Set up VCR to tape the New Hampshire Primary edition of the Daily Show tonight.
4. Make sure the answering machine is clear of messages before leaving for work -- knowing it will be full of reminders to vote from all the campaigns when you return this afternoon.
5. Find handwarmers to deliver to husband George at the polls. He was there at 6am this morning to hold a sign for the Edwards campaign.
6. Double check the campaign coverage on tv and in the newspapers to see if anything significant happened overnight. (It didn't )
7. Begin to think about what I'll say in the final entry to this blog site that I'll be writing tomorrow.
8. Get to the polls and vote.

Sunday was definitely "decision day" for many New Hampshire voters. You could see it in the streams of people who attended the variety of town hall meetings and rallys held by candidates throughout the state.

We started our day at the open house for Edwards. We thought he was going to be there, but instead Glenn Close served as his spokesperson. She showed a quiet commitment to the candidate and was very comfortable with deferring to his statewide campaign manager in the policy areas where she didn't know the answers. It was a personal decision on her part to support Edwards.

We headed over to his rally at the local junior high after the house party. We got there at least a half hour in advance and they were directing people into the cafeteria because the gym was full to capacity. I decided not to stay, but my husband did. He said Edwards made it to the overflow room after giving his main speech, but his wife Elizabeth and Glenn Close spoke to the room before he showed up. He overheard other people (woman) at the table saying that they were more impressed with Elizabeth than with the candidate.

I never made it to the Kerry rally...getting to work took a higher priority. My husband tried to go, but the traffic was so bad leading into the high school that he couldn't even get close and turned around and went home to watch the action on tv.

George caught the Dean rally in Plymouth last night on his way to Vermont. He called to let me know the Governor had drawn a big, enthusiastic crowd for the event and that he is now traveling consistently with his wife.

George said that he picked up some cool giveaways from the Dean campaign, including a deck of cards that features Howard. We had mentioned earlier in the day how non-collectible the stickers most campaigns hand you when you go into the door. I guess the priority should be to spend campaign funds on getting the word out, but it is kind of fun to have some tangible memorabilia as well.

By this time tomorrow, I will have cast my vote in the New Hampshire Primary. Kind of hard to believe that that day has finally come.

What a riot. Candidates and voters buzzing around like bettors a few minutes before the Kentucky Derby. Four young guys, not from around here by the way they dressed, were carrying one giant Dean sign and a bunch of just big Dean signs to a large, boistrous, mostly Dean rally on the Dartmouth Green, outside the site of the conference on women's issues in Hanover, Sunday. I have to agree with one elderly woman who commented on NHPR, that the Dean movement has brought many young people into the political process, and that it would be a shame to lose that. She was having a very tough time deciding, as are a lot of people, especially a good chunk of the former Dean leaners.
Appalled at the 3rd place Iowa finish, appalled by the SCREAM, yet not quite able to let go of those early feelings of commitment. It is almost a heart versus head thing. Their heads tell them that Howard is probably unelectable, that Kerry or maybe Edwards, or even Joe, matches up much better on paper against Bush. The Republicans will roast him (reports said the Republican strategists were very disappointed that they were probably not going to have a shot at him). But the hearts are screaming "Wimp!", "Media led Sheep!", there isn't really much substance in demonizing the SCREAM. And then there's Dr. .Judy Dean. I'm hearing a lot of those sunshine supporters are questioning their first reactions to the meltdown bandwagon, and remembering what got them excited about his candidacy in the first place: a chance for real change, a bet on the people to win.

Have you ever seen that Japanese television program run in translation on the "Spike" network? That's my working metaphor for the New Hampshire primary tomorrow: "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge." Indeed, the challenge for several of the candidates will be to avoid "elimination."

All the town meetings, all the ads, all the interviews are over. What matters tomorrow is organization, turnout, undecided voters, and the final count. So far since suppertime tonight, Howard Dean, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, and John Edwards have checked in with recorded phone calls. Tomorrow there'll be follow-ups to see that we've gone to the polls, to ask if we need a ride, to inquire if we'd like to stand at the polling place with a sign. All this in an effort to obey Kenny Blankenship's exhortation: "don't get eliminated!"

In the end, despite all the work by dedicated campaigners, one or two candidates will effectively be "eliminated." They say three tickets get punched out of Iowa, and two out of New Hampshire. Still, depending on the results, there could be three remaining viable candidates after tomorrow.

All indications are that John Kerry will win, and win convincingly. He has a commanding lead in the polls, and has run a good campaign this last week, keeping his focus on George Bush. He has the Shaheen organization to help get out the vote, has plenty of money in the bank, and has the advantage of attracting those voters who simply want to go with a winner.

Howard Dean looks good for second. He's bounced back from his Iowa disappointment (and his primal scream), is still drawing great crowds, and also has the dough. The question that remains is whether his organization can get out the vote in New Hampshire better than they did in Iowa. If Dean finishes third (unlikely), he's toast. With two thirds, including one in a Vermont neighbor, Howard won't travel well. At the same time, I think Dean has an outside shot at a miracle first. If Kerry's supporters think its in the bag, and if Dean's younger supporters actually vote in huge numbers (college students, for example, rarely are polled), and if before morning some contrary NH voters among his original followers (back when he had the big lead) rediscover that original appeal, or decide he could beat Bush, there might be a surprise.

Third will be the most interesting race with Edwards, Clark, and Lieberman all making a play. Edwards, with his second in Iowa, is not quite in a "must third" situation. Heading to South Carolina, he might survive a fourth-place finish in New Hampshire. Even with a fourth, he'll be around through February 3rd. He has been drawing huge enthusiastic crowds. He has great favorability ratings, and seems always to be named among the two (or more) still being considered by undecideds. He is statistically even with Clark, and leads Lieberman by a couple of points. I think it's not really that close. He'll finish a clear third.

Failing a third, Clark will fold. He'll have no excuse for a fourth or fifth. He skipped Iowa to concentrate and do well in New Hampshire. But, he had a poor debate performance, and is showing some wear on the stump. His best chance is the voters he seems to attract. My sense from seeing him in person on several occasions is that the crowds are older than most, and with a higher proportion of veterans. These people, more than younger supporters, do tend to vote.

Likewise Joe Lieberman. Without at least a third, Lieberman's campaign will collapse. The candidate did have a good debate, and has made some movement in the polls. But he started from way down, and both times I've seen Lieberman, the crowds have been, well, polite. They are clearly not enthused, or inspired--sort of reflecting the temperament of the candidate. Lieberman's best hope is to attract a lot of independent support, and undecideds. But while there is a chance he could pass Clark for fourth, I doubt he'll get by both Clark and Edwards.

My prediction, then: Clark and Lieberman fail the "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge," and cash in their chips after the New Hampshire Primary.

If I'm right, coming out of New Hampshire there'll be Kerry with two wins, and Dean and Edwards with a second and a third each. But, place and show won't get you many delegates, especially if you're always losing to the same guy. So, if they survive here, South Carolina, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and the rest become the next "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge."

It has been impossible to find a parking space in the mornings for all the ABC, NBC, NECN, etc. etc., busses on the streets - tents have been set up and there seems to be at least one (candidate) parade a day down Elm Street! The Merrimack restaurant is The Place to be in the mornings - and from the sounds of things the Palace Theatre is hopping in the evenings! I think it is Peter Jennings that has been set up at the Bedford Village Inn for the past week. Day after tomorrow Manchester will feel like Vermont after ski season ends - everyone but the locals will be gone!

Everywhere I turn someone wants to talk about who they are voting for. What has really surprised me is the number of people that have come out and said that they believe that Joe Lieberman would be the best president and then they go on to tell me who they are voting for and it has not been Joe! I understand these people because I think Joe Lieberman is truly the most honest, genuine candidate there is. Why then are these people not voting for him? They say he would never beat George Bush - why is that? Is it because he has "Faith Based" values? I think that if everyone who felt this way actually voted for him he might actually win the NH Primary. I did talk to a few registered Independants, who are actually Republicans who intend to vote for Howard Dean because they wnat him to run against George Bush - they believe he will lose against Bush. Maybe that means anyone of the others could win! I have talked to some who think Kerry will take New Hampshire but should pick Edwards as a running mate to win in the south!

I believe that this NH Primary will have record numders of democrats coming out to vote - I am looking forward to seeing the results tomorrow evening

There are still a few more hours until I go to the polls to vote and until I actually mark the ballot I am not sure who will get my vote - I only know who it won't be!

It's crunch time in New Hampshire. Just take a look at the candidate's schedules and you'll see how much ground they've commited to cover in the next two days. It's daunting.

And also very difficult to decide which campaign and it's events you want to go to. The invitations were coming in hot and heavy throughout yesterday. The Edwards people would like us to join he and Glen Close at a house party at 10:30 this morning; there's an Edwards Rally at a junior high school at noon.

Kerry is having a rally at two at the high school. Clark is at Daniel Webster College at 1:00 this afternoon. My understanding is that Ted Danson and his wife will be there. Joe Lieberman seems to be concentrating his efforts in Manchester.

Dean is Manchester and north today. But if you'd rather see Martin Sheen instead of Dean, he's in the state campaigning for the Vermont governor today.

Somewhere in this crazy schedule, I have to find time to go into work and get our magazine ready to turn over the production. I think I'm going to the house party for Edwards, then to work until I can get to the rally for Kerry at two. Hopefully that will give me enough time to get some work done.

Then it's home for a quick dinner before my husband leaves. He's due in Vermont tomorrow morning, but is leaving this afternoon so he can stop in on the Dean Rally in Plymouth before crossing the Connecticut River.

I guess what I'm not able to see in person, I can catch on C-SPAN.