Graham Makes an Impression

I think this granite to prairie perspective on the democratic primary is going to be a lot of fun and hopefully interesting to public radio audiences out there.
We were fortunate to have Bob Graham stop by our NH offices in mid August to say a few words. Because I was on vacation, as were many of my coworkers, the visit didn't get the visibility it might have otherwise. But people seemed impressed as to how focused Graham was in a small group and in one-on-one encounters. This guy is afterall a Senator, and he was Governor of a fairly complex State - Florida. So as his visit ended, he circled back around to personally thank his hosts. Well, people appreciate that. But then a week later he really made an impression with his hand written Thank You notes (on two sides I might add). We passed them around for people to see. I know its form over substance - but it's important "form".
Because many of my staff hail from Vermont and you can see Killington Peak some 40 miles across the Connecticut River valley we have a strong Howard Dean contingent in my company and in the Hanover-Lebanon area. There tends not to be too much early sign pollution over on this of NH but we're beginning to see a few Doctor Dean signs around. I like Dean's forthright style but I was expecting him to stand out more from the crowd during the one recent New Mexico debate. He seemed stiffer than I believe he really is. And it was apparent that Gephart and others were coopting Dean's more confrontational style. Dean may be one of the leaders at this juncture but he's going to have to battle to secure it.
Lot of people I talk to were very surprised at General Clark's immediate rise to the top of the charts.