Today is the New Hampshire primary—but what’s the point?

[Stuckinthebush]

http://qz.com/612189/today-is-the-new-hampshire-primary-but-whats-the-point/

Gripes about New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary are nothing new, but this year’s version raises a new question, beyond the debate about the state’s outsize influence: does retail politics even matter anymore in a presidential primary?

Every four years, the political and chattering classes return to one of the smallest states in the US to watch presidential candidates subject themselves to citizen interrogators in gymnasium town halls and glad-hand voters in diners. Along with its cousin, the Iowa caucuses, the New Hampshire primary is one of the few times presidential candidates can be observed before they enter an impenetrable campaign bubble as the election sweeps across the country.

But all this effort to reach voters may be for naught if it doesn’t affect the outcome of the nominating race—and it’s simply not clear that it does anymore.

[NurseJackie]

1. IA and NH certainly aren't representative of the USA.

I get the reasons why we start off slowly and early with smaller states, but for the reason stated in the title, these are the WRONG states to begin the process.

[Rose Siding]

2. People are exercising their right to vote today, is the point.

Plenty of them I don't agree with, but it is a right worth respecting.

[Stuckinthebush]

6. The point of retail politics was the gist

It isn't as big of a deal as it used to be.

[Tommy2Tone]

3. NH means squat

Bernie will win easily and the media will write right wing talking points about Hillary's implosion. Sanders supporters will talk of Bernie with all the momentum. That momentum will last exactly 11 days when Nevada then South Carolina vote and then Super
Tuesday will hit like a ton of bricks.

[Iliyah]

4. Not if HRC wins, then all we will hear and read

is that she stole it. Re-count. Ya see, they will attack HRC regardless.

[Tommy2Tone]

10. So true and predictable.

[Cha]

5. The point is Hillary and her Team have campaigned their hearts out and I'm wishing

them/us all the Best of Luck!

[Stuckinthebush]

7. Ain't that the truth!

Good point!

[cosmicone]

8. I think it is the last act of control by a segment of the population

that is not going to be a majority in a couple of decades.

By starting in non-diverse states, this segment exercises massive control over shaping of the POTUS elections.

[kjones]

9. Indeed. nt