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NEW HAMPSHIRE: WHAT'S THE VALUE? [David Hogberg 10/26 01:05 PM]

Should we really be that concerned about New Hampshire? About it’s four electoral votes, sure. But as a bell-weather state, I doubt it.

Looking at past elections, it seems that New Hampshire has become increasingly favorable territory for the Democrats in presidential elections. Consider that Papa Bush carried New Hampshire by a 26-point margin in 1988; in 1992 Clinton carried it narrowly, and then in 1996 he bested Dole by 10 points. Gore only lost it by 7,000 votes in 2000.

I recently heard that quite a few former Massachusetts residents have moved to New Hampshire because of its lack of an income tax, but otherwise bring their liberal politics. Add to that one of Massachusetts’ semi-favorite sons is running this time, and I doubt any bush supporter should be too concerned that Kerry is running ahead in the Granite State. It’s not a portent of things to come nationwide.

Meanwhile, I guess I’m getting famous due to the Battlegrounder. Today I received my very first bit of hate mail wishing that I were dead. Deconstructed on my blog.