John Nichols: First Real Returns Echo Polls: Obama, McCain are in Front

[marmar]

from The Nation:




FIRST REAL RETURNS ECHO POLLS: OBAMA, MCCAIN ARE IN FRONT...MANCHESTER, NH -- Most surveys of likely New Hampshire Democratic and Republican presidential primary voters put Illinois Senator Barack Obama ahead for the Democrats and Arizona Senator John McCain for the GOP.

But it is appropriately noted that polls are merely snapshots taken along the campaign trail.

Returns are real. And the first of the results are in from New Hampshire, where the voting began as the clock ticked past midnight and primary day arrived.

In the northern New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch, which has historically been the first community in the first-primary state to vote, 17 votes were cast by two Democrats, three Republicans and 12 independents.

Dixville Notch Democrats cast seven votes for Obama and two for former North Carolina Senator John Edwards. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson won one vote, while there were none for New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

Dixville Notch Republicans gave McCain four votes. Arizona Governor Mitt Romney had two votes. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani got one vote. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee received no votes; nor did Texas Congressman Ron Paul, former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson or California Congressman Duncan Hunter.

A few minutes later, another small town, Hart's Location, voted.

Democrats gave Obama nine votes, Clinton earned three and Edwards received one.

Republican cast six votes for McCain, while Huckabee took five, Ron Paul four and Romney one.

Add it all up and here is where the competition stands as we begin the most intensely contested primary day in recent American history:

DEMOCRATS:

Obama -- 16

Clinton -- 3

Edwards -- 3

Richardson -- 1

Kucinich -- 0

REPUBLICANS

McCain -- 10

Romney -- 3

Huckabee -- 5

Paul -- 4

Giuliani -- 1

Thompson -- 0

Hunter -- 0

......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=267621

[GodlessBiker]

1. Do these early towns have a history of getting it right?

[dbackjon]

2. In 2004, Clark won....

[GodlessBiker]

3. Oy.

[rodeodance]

4. NH following the media ---and here I thought they were 'independent"!!