A Post-New Hampshire World

If you believe much of the popular media, Hillary Clinton pulled off a huge upset in NH Tuesday night. But what kind of upset is it when the prohibitive favorite for months wins a primary she was always well-suited to win?

The pundits say that the name of the game is expectations and the polls shot Obama's expectations through the roof. In the end, he could not meet those expectations and come through with victory--but interesting amongst all of the clamor about the polls is the fact that Obama met the percentage expectation of most of the polls. What was not anticipated was Hillary's getting the women vote out in force for her.

Call it what you want; genuine, contrived or whatever- Hillary's show of emotion worked for her. She reaffirmed her political prowess and just perhaps having former President Bill Clinton yelling at them about a coronation of Obama woke up the NH electorate and convinced them that the process needed to go on a little longer.

What we learned from the Democratic race in NH:

1. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER...ever underestimate the Clintons.
2. Obama is for real- a month ago no one would have ever predicted such a tight race in NH.
3. Hillary is a talented politician in a manner completely opposite from her husband. Bill has an ease about him that people like--they are not on guard around him and they get the feeling that he cares. Hillary's equally impressive ability is to put everyone on guard and set no one at ease. But where Bill makes people "feel" that he cares, Hillary lets people "know" that she will work and work and work harder than anyone else out there.

The Republican race is no less interesting than the Democrats and may even be more so. John McCain truly made a miraculous comeback in the Granite State. However, his "maverick" style has always appealed to these truly different New Englanders (how different are they? Justice Souter is from NH--enough said). His natural appeal however, does not entirely explain how he resurrected his campaign in this state.

Many polls have suggested that the number one campaign issue this year is that people want to see change. If that is the case, how does that support the argument for a Senator who has spent more than three decades in Washington? Perhaps the change that Republican voters are looking for is someone in power deigning to respect them enough to tell them the truth? To tell them things are difficult and that sacrifices must be made? Perhaps it is that McCain has always remained steadfastly loyal to traditional Republican politics and steered clear of "W" Republicanism. The other candidates are enmeshed in debates about who supported "W" more, seemingly missing the entire point of this campaign.

What we've learned from the Republican race in NH:

1. There is still a place in the Republican party for a man like McCain.
2. Romney is a 100 times better candidate when he relaxes and is himself. His concession speech was genuine and enjoyable (although his continuing, and not-so-subtle Olympic "medal count" is beyond annoying and quite frankly--lame--stop it Mitt!).
3. Rudy Giuliani's campaign strategy seems moronic now- but with no clear leaders through the primaries so far, perhaps he is a genius.
4. Mike Huckabee continues to be the most empathetic and gifted speech maker on the campaign trail--including Obama. I'm pretty sure I don't like what he is saying, but I enjoy how he says it. Its doubtful that the country is that comfortable to the point where voting for a "voice" seems like a viable option. That is a luxury and now does not seem a time for such luxuries.
5. I think Fred Thompson is having a great time in the spotlight and just happy he has his self-proclaimed "trophy wife" to go home to. I love Fred. (Bumper sticker idea: "FRED-HEAD '08")