For Republican candidates for New Hampshire?s First Congressional District shook hands, waved signs, interrupted people?s lunches, and smiled a lot yesterday. Four others spent at least part of their day denouncing their rival John Stephen?s candidacy. Just one day before the primary, NHPR?s Dan Gorenstein reports candidates in the crowded first were still trying to gain some name recognition and connect to the large number of undecided voters.
1:18 Sfx: talking with Mrs. Kelly
In New Hampshire?s First Congressional District, getting out the vote efforts like this one by John Stephen outside a local Manchester resturant were critical. According to a UNH poll conducted last week, 47% of District 1 voters remained undecided on who to vote for.
So candidates, like Sean Mahoney, started waving signs in Dover at 7:30 yesterday morning. Then went to Portsmouth, Manchester, Belmont, and Laconia. At 5:30 yesterday evening he was back waving signs, this time in Bedford.
Such is the life for a candidate trying to make a name for him or herself. John Stephen said he?s already gone through 3 or 4 pairs of shoes, meeting, greeting, and the ever so important, listening.
1:07 they tell me I am one of the only candidates for Congress that has ever gone door to door in the evenings. NH is retail politics. If you expect someone to vote for you, you should meet them, let them size you up, and I am a great listener.
While Stephen chatted up the lunch crowd, half of his Republican rivals held an anti-Stephen press conference.
On Friday the Lawrence Eagle Tribune reported that the Manchester Police are investigating Stephen campaign manager Timothy Buckley on suspicion of stalking Buckley?s ex-girlfriend.
Speaking on behalf of Fran Wendleboe, Gary Hoffman, Vivian Clark and himself, Bob Bevil says Stephen should have relived Buckley of his duties until the matter was cleared up. The problem, explained Bevil, is not with the campaign manager, though. It?s with Stephen turning a blind eye.
1:13 vilolence against women doesn?t matter to Stephen. This sends a horrible message to young women in the state. They should know that the police and law enforcement will be there.
Jeb Bradley worked the crowd and small stores along Elm Street in Manchester on the record breaking hot September afternoon. But he had something to attract the attention of voters.
Track 12 5:30 a Segway
The Dean Kamen invention caught 17 year old Michael Lacourse?s attention. It?s exchanges like this, says Bradley that helped him Sunday.
Track 11
1:04 yesterday we were in Hampton Beach and Portsmouth and the fact that people were very interested in the Segway, gave me the opportunity to talk to hundreds of people. As opposed to try to stick my hand in people?s face, they want to talk to me. That made all the difference in the world.
For seven Republican District 1 candidates, all the hand-pumping, baby kissing, phone calling, emailing, and smiling will end tonight. For NHPR News, I?m DG.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo