Democratic Presidential Candidates Campaign in Packed Halls in New Hampshire

Strategic Insights -

Democratic presidential candidates descended upon packed halls in New Hampshire on the last Sunday before the primary, launching a barrage of attacks on President Bush's economic and foreign policies. The candidates, including Howard Dean, John Kerry, John Edwards, Joseph Lieberman, and Wesley Clark, sought to outdo one another in their appeals to voters, with each presenting themselves as the Democrat who could best beat Bush. New Hampshire voters, despite freezing temperatures, turned out in large numbers to hear the candidates, with many being turned away at the door due to overcrowding.

Key Takeaways:

  • Howard Dean, struggling to avoid a defeat that could be devastating to his presidential hopes, told voters in Manchester that he believed he was in "striking distance" of a victory.
  • Dr. Dean's aides called about 100 of the campaign's top donors to a five-hour meeting in Concord to discuss the severe fund-raising challenges he would face if he lost in New Hampshire.
  • The candidates called for a sharp expansion of health care coverage and an end to tax cuts that benefit the wealthy, each presenting themselves as the Democrat who could best beat Bush.
  • John Edwards was gaining momentum in the final days of the race, drawing huge enthusiastic crowds, as he did at the end of his campaign in Iowa, where he came in second.
  • A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll showed John Kerry in the lead with 35 percent, Dean with 25 percent, and Lieberman with 12 percent.
  • Dr. Dean's campaign was trying to play down expectations to portray a second-place showing as a victory, much like Bill Clinton did in 1992.
  • Dr. Dean campaigned Sunday with his wife, Judith Steinberg Dean, appearing at a forum to discuss women's issues, and declined invitations to appear on major morning network interview shows.

Statistics:

  • 184,000: estimated turnout on Tuesday, exceeding the record set in the 1992 Democratic primary.
  • 35 percent: John Kerry's lead in the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.
  • 25 percent: Howard Dean's support in the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.
  • 12 percent: Joseph Lieberman's support in the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.
  • Hundreds: the number of voters turned away at the door due to overcrowding in packed halls.
  • Thousands: the number of voters who attended rallies, heard speeches, and watched events on television screens.

Sources:

  • William M. Gardner, New Hampshire Secretary of State
  • CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll
  • Stephen Grossman, Dr. Dean's national campaign chairman
  • Dr. Dean's campaign aides
  • Steven Grossman, Dr. Dean's national campaign chairman
  • George Stephanopoulos, host of "This Week" on ABC
  • Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central
  • WMUR, the local ABC affiliate
  • Fox News
  • NBC's "Meet the Press"