CONCORD, N.H. (Jan. 4) — The Democratic presidential candidates landed in New Hampshire Friday morning with personal flair.
Front-runners John Edwards, Hillary Clinton and Iowa caucus winner Barack Obama each organized rallies, letting supporters know they are prepared to battle for a win at the nation’s first primary. Clinton rode out of an airplane hanger on an American flag-painted bus. Obama invoked Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. John Edwards agreed with a comparison between himself and the famous racehorse, Seabiscuit. All gave a nod to typical New Hampshire independence.
“Nobody’s going to tell you what to do,” John Edwards told a cheering crowd at his “Graniteroots” rally in Manchester, N.H. “Nobody’s going to tell you who to vote for.”
At his rally, John Edwards promised to fight for the middle class with health care coverage, job security and protection against more global warming. It’s that fighting attitude that Elizabeth Edwards used to compare her husband, who placed second at the Iowa caucuses and pushed Hillary Clinton to third, to the racehorse.
“It seems right now the perfect metaphor is Seabiscuit.” said Elizabeth Edwards.
Even though he agreed with the comparison, John Edwards wanted the supporters to know that his success in Iowa doesn’t mean his work is finished. As president, he would work to secure a better life for future generations, he said.
“What we learned last night is that the status quo was yesterday,” Edwards said. “This is not about me. It’s not about Elizabeth. It’s about this country and what we can do with it.”
Supporters traveled in from all over the state, some of them leaving their homes in cold winter darkness to make the 6.a.m rally. For example, Mary Boyle, a microbiology professor at Vermont Technical College, was on the road with five friends from her home in Cornish, N.H., around 5 a.m. “I’m here to make sure that he felt welcomed,” she said.
In Nashua, N.H., Clinton rallied her welcoming crowd in an airplane hanger decorated with giant American flags.
In her speech, she showcased her experience as a New York senator and former first lady to New Hampshire voters, particularly younger adults, to help her win the primary. She promised to withdraw American troops from Iraq, to create a system of health insurance that covers all Americans and to balance the federal budget.
“I doubt there’s ever been a more important decision for New Hampshire than right now because we have big problems right now,” Hillary Clinton said.
Curry Bartlett and his wife Christine, of Nashua, N.H., agreed with Hillary Clinton’s plans for America.
“We need a real healthcare system,” Curry Bartlett said. “It would be nice to have a few jobs back too.”
The couple added that they’re volunteers for Clinton’s campaign and they’d do anything they needed to help out. “Whatever I need to do to get her into office,” Christine Bartlett said, “I’ll do.”
In Concord, N.H., Obama gathered a crowd at Concord High School. Breaking down political lines was Obama’s biggest issue. More change will be produced as a result, he said. Once that happens, healthcare and education reform, global warming prevention and stricter international trade agreements will ensure a better America for future generations, he said.
“In four days time, New Hampshire, it’s your time,” Obama said. “…We are one nation. One people…Let’s go to work.”
Supporters cheered and lingered around Obama well after the speech ended, waiting to speak with him and shake his hand. Two Concord natives, Jill Avallone and Erin Kenison, were among the crowd.
“He’s my candidate,” Avallone, a University of New Hampshire student, said. “He’s very inspiring.“
(Laura Van Wert, a senior newspaper major, is reporting for the Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, Mass.)
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