Armageddon in New Hampshire

Concord, N. H. If there is a truly sophisticated voter, he is a Republican and lives in New Hampshire. He knows the fine points of the game as well as the Miamian knows the minutiae of jai alai.

Consider. Every fourth year the New Hampshire Republican must equip himself to handle a number of uncommon chores. He must be able to penetrate the riddles of the nation’s most complicated ballot. He must be able to do a quick turn on Huntley-Brinkley on any late-breaking campaign developments. All the while, according to some unwritten code, he must cover his tracks from the pursuing legions of pollsters, reporters and political handicappers. He goes to all the trouble because a) he loves the game, b) the tourism is nothing but good for the commonweal, c) he feels in a way the weight of history on his capable shoulders, and d) because he has no “boss” onto whom he can shrug the responsibility.

About the Author

Neal B. Freeman

Neal B. Freeman, businessman and journalist, was a director of National Review Inc. for 38 years.

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Concord, N. H. If there is a truly sophisticated voter, he is a Republican and lives in New Hampshire. He knows the fine points of the game as well as the Miamian knows the minutiae of jai alai.

Consider. Every fourth year the New Hampshire Republican must equip himself to handle a number of uncommon chores. He must be able to penetrate the riddles of the nation’s most complicated ballot. He must be able to do a quick turn on Huntley-Brinkley on any late-breaking campaign developments. All the while, according to some unwritten code, he must cover his tracks from the pursuing legions of pollsters, reporters and political handicappers. He goes to all the trouble because a) he loves the game, b) the tourism is nothing but good for the commonweal, c) he feels in a way the weight of history on his capable shoulders, and d) because he has no “boss” onto whom he can shrug the responsibility.