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Across the Pond: US elections blog
Hillary Clinton braced herself for a second defeat at the hands of Barack Obama today as New Hampshire voters turned out in record numbers for the state’s crucial primaries.
Polls predict an overwhelming victory for the young Illinois senator, who beat Mrs Clinton into an embarrassing third place in last week’s Iowa caucus and has seen a surge of support in the state on the back of his decisive 37 point win.
A USA Today/Gallup poll showed him with the support of 41 per cent, up from 32 per cent in mid-December. Mrs Clinton was at 28 per cent, down from 32 per cent. John Edwards, who narrowly snatched second place in Iowa, had 19 per cent, while New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was at 6 per cent.
Turnout was “very heavy”, said William Gardner, the New Hampshire Secretary of State, amid expectations of a record turnout of half a million voters, with numbers swelled by enthusiastic Democrats.
Arriving in Manchester, New Hampshire, as polls opened at 6am this morning, a smiling Mrs Clinton attempted to put a brave face on the dire predictions. With her daughter Chelsea by her side, she greeted chanting supporters, telling them she was feeling "really good" about the contest.
Polling stations reported high turnout after the she state secretary, Bill Gardner, predicted that at least half a million people will cast their ballot.
The majority of the state began voting at 6am local time (11.00GMT) and polls will close at 8pm (0100GMT) with first results are expected shortly afterwards.
Mrs Clinton, once the clear frontrunner in the race for the Democratic nomination, had last night been forced further onto the defensive as rivals pounced upon a moment when her tough professional exterior seemed to crack during a campaign stop in New Hampshire last night, leaving her close to tears.
Mr Edwards seized upon the display of emotion as evidence she was cracking under pressure. "I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are tough business, but being president of the United States is also tough business," he told reporters in Laconia, New Hampshire.
The New York senator had become emotional during a campaign stop in Portsmouth when asked by a woman voter: “How do you keep upbeat and so wonderful?”
After beginning her answer, her voice began to break and tears filled her eyes. “You know, this is very personal for me. It’s not just political it’s not just public. Some people think elections are a game, lot’s of who’s up or who’s down, [but] it’s about our country.”
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What puzzles me is that the media keep repeating the line that Senator Obama is "young". He's 47.
Jim, Vancouver, Canada
Yes I agree. And what puzzles me even more is that the media keep repeating the line that Obama is "black". His mother was white which means he's mixed race, not black! The coverage of Obama is one of the most consistently incorrect and poor journalism I've seen!
Helen E., London, UK
Hillary won, and your overwhelming bias is showing through, times online. I find it refreshing to see that a candidate has feelings, and is willing to show them. While you say it makes her feel week, It makes her strong in my eyes.
Howard W., Des Moines, IA
Hilary, I hope you browse the internet and see this..There are still ALOT OF WOMEN that love you! AND Know your going to win! Men can't even Iron shirts!! AND there are plenty of canidates that can't either...You've got it all!!!
Lynn Zehms.........You go my baby Boomer!!!
Lynn Zehms, Las Vegas, Nv
Does anyone remember a dog named "Checkers"?
John, Worthington, USA/mn
I am from Arkansas and know Hillary and Bill.I am also disabled.For the sake of are Country and for the love of God,Pray that She wins.Experience and knowledge of what working people's need is something the Clinton's know about,I call on all disabled people,especially service and older people to back her. She is the only one that can step right into office and get things right.
Sue Mash, Beebe, Arkansas,USA
I would like to enumerate first the issues that are not important anymore in the US Presidential Election.
1) The present amount of money that every candidate has got to spend in the campaign
2) The skin colour or gender of the candidate
3) The years of experience in Washington
The most important issue in this election are the voters themselves.
If only the media and opinion makers had paid more attention to whatâs been going on for the last three years in Boulder, Colorado they would have all the clues to understand better the scope of the extraordinary changes that are going take place in the world.
Since the 4th of January I have hardly been able to sleep and like me there are hundreds or maybe thousands of people all over non-US citizens that share my excitement all over the world
What is still been called âthe race to the White Houseâ (and please, change that expression, itâs so âCentury of the Selfâ and thatâs dead and buried) with the results of New Hampshire has already been decided.
They said this day would never come...
They said our stakes were too high...
And Iâd like to add... This is only the beginning
Juan Antonio Gomez Marin, Barcelona, Spain
Anyone who believed the "teary" episode wasn't acting means she's good. No, really good. The trouble with political advisors is they have no subtlety. Tell them their candidate seems cold and, hey presto, an interview or two later, she's tearing up. Tell them she's off beam with the young voters and she'll be donning an iPod, sporting a tattoo and ignoring phone calls from her mother. Someone must have told her she's too much of a shoo in. And hey presto! she's losing already, looking for the simpathy vote. Power certainly does corrupt and she's lasciviously lupine for the top jop, not to say vulpine, given her disingenous auto response team.
Oscar Rentavote, Hong Kong,
ok
nilongzhu, china, jiangxi
Hillary, please don't give up. It's not over..... that is all we can hope for.
Karley Obrecht, Comanche, OK
Oh no! Yet another US election article that no one is interested in, except the UK media. Ref 3.
Steven Whalley, Colchester, UK
Today's election is now the second of a total of fifty-five primary elections- Regardless of the outcomes of today's primary election in New Hampshire, it is still far to early to be making any predictions with any certainty-
Scott Benowitz, Rye, New York, U.S.A.
What puzzles me is that the media keep repeating the line that Senator Obama is "young". He's 47. There's nobody who is "young" in this race. But there seems to be some kind of charisma effect on the media.
Jim, Vancouver, Canada
Leaving Senator Obama's charm, chrisma etc to one side for a moment, does anyone know what actual polices and programs he is proposing to implement should he win the presidency? Exactly what is it that he is going to change and to what extent? What is the substance of what he is offering to remedy USA's problems?
Paul, London,
Everyone seems so bent on change. But, in times of war, in times of uncertainty, of hard choices, you want a long history of experience, strong moral values, not progressive ideas. Change just won't cut it. Sorry, the truth hurts sometimes.
Jeff Dunham, Yacolt, USA/ WA
Well,
Perhaps she may learn a lesson that she had every possibility to set the political agenda but didn't. What does she have that an intelligent, charasmatic (but not Blairish) Ombama has?
Ombama will be good for the US. It will bring them out of their shell. It will be good for the world and the US's reputation within it which is especially important after the likes of Guantanamo Bay, it will also be good for the UK as we like intelligent people in politics over here (making no observations about Gordon Brown).
Pete Balchin, Solicitor , Bristol, UK
I agree with Stefan in NYC: Iowa and NH are tiny places and hardly microcosms of the American voter; where once they were in step with the larger voting blocks of America, they're just the first voters now. I completely salute such a tradition but Super Tuesday will put an end to some of this jousting; until then it's just a relic.
Lee , Dallas, Texas
Apologies to Ms Kendrick but you have no idea. It's the Republican's dream for Hillary to get the nomination because then any living, breathing candidate on the Republican side will win. Unfortunately it looks like it's going to unravel and she might not get the nomination after all. Oh well, maybe a Democrat will get in after all....but I doubt it will be Obama. Not sure that America is ready for that just yet....maybe in 2012.
In case my message was lost in the paragraph above....Hillary isn't electable. Her highly negative numbers are higher than any credible candidate we've ever had. They are much higher than Bush's if that puts things into perspective.
American in England, Cheshire,
Hillary Clinton could be the best prospect for a stable USA but she's having to accept that America will not accept a female president. Would they enjoy having a " kick ass" woman in the White House, like a hole in the head, its a male dominated Washington and that's the way it'll stay.
There is also the problem of " Bill ", but if they voted for Mrs Clinton they would have a, Buy one get one Free. The word New is a short word, but its the most powerful word in the marketing of anything, including presidents.
Phil de Buquet, Newport, England
When I see Miss Clinton I think- well prepared, experienced, definitely not saint but on the other hand driven very much by doing it right- and therefore from my poor foreign pint of view the right person.
But in opinion polls she is falling bag and it would not come as a surprise if the U.S will see a run between mister Omaha and mister Mc Cain.
Miss Clinton once as a wife of the American president was surely his best advisor-and I think her husband did in general terms not so bad his job. Just by going logic- this makes her not a bad choice and because of age, political experience and certain coolness she is very much capable to handle the United States out of crisis.
But be woman and showing masculine attributes like leadership and a dosis of toughness is still something what some people find difficult to accept.
But I in this matter I have no vote- only an opinion.
About Mister Omaha- Definitely he shines out like a beautiful Hollywood star, definitely his words reach out, and definitely he is very outstanding sympatric and his goodness and positive energy can be felt by everyone.
But Exactly that might by one day his biggest vulnerability and weakness - because we live in a world of sharks and not of angels.
And in such a difficult situation like U. S. faces intern and extern difficulties the commander in chief of America has to have quit a bit from both sides- as much shark â and as much angel!
I ask myself as a not American but definitely a Pro American. Is Mister Omaha able and experienced enough to bring America out from his intern and extern crisis? Is he tough enough to be tough when it come up to make in some moment unpleasant decisions? I have there my personal doubts and think the last think what helps this troubled nation is the super nice guy from the next door with outgoing spirit and great illusions. Illusions donât help the u. S. right now.
Than we see mister Edwards, the senator with the outstanding monthly hear cut spending - who seems from point of view very much to be driven by some kind of uncontrolled inside anger- definitely something very dangerous for such a troubled nation.
Letâs take a sharp look to the other candidates. - Mister Giuliani- a men with experiences and big tolerance- and what most count- love for humanity.
But he seems to be still a sick men and You can see it in his face. Also it seems for me that he inside somehow gave up and does not believe that he can win anymore- and this is a great pity- because he reminds me on all those presidents who try to do the job right.
But there are the others. Continuing with mister Huckabee â who has not so much experience in politics but in weight losing (he was once governor from Arkansas before he quit in 2007 ) seems to be one winning course. We saw images of him with singing performances supported by action star Chuck Norris and it is told that this man is as much a good singer like a good Baptist prayer. But somehow I think myself- Oh my good- in a country where a prayer gets leader - such country might have afterwards much more problems.
German newspaper âDer stern â titled today âthe return of a worrierâ and referring to Mister Mc Cain âas a shining star on Republicanian sky and possible choice for presidency in the U. S
Mister Mc Cain who definitely is charismatic and he looks like a person who believes in what he is saying. No doubt about that. Also he has experience in political live and a lot of military experience too (former Vietnam hero) â But what can Americans expect from him- - Prob. It will be somehow a continuation of Mister Bush politics-and it seems to be quit possible not so much innovation.
Mister Mc Cain who in his way of thinking seems to be very much influenced by his years as a military might understand the âfine Art of politicsâ the same way when he becomes commander in chief.
I was reading that he had to spend years in Vietnam prison and was punished there- definitely he loves his country- he served it the most roughest way- by taking risks for his life. This should be respected from everyone who stands for democracy.
But on the other hand many American people already understood that it is fare more complicated, that the really enemies of democracy not only present in battle fields of trouble shooting countries- but in other areas- like economy or many different fields.
The question is- Can Mister Mac Cain âwho is very much influenced by his years on duty handle it were it is necessary not to polarise on long term? Well we will see if he gets in charge.
On the other hand we might see rising up Mister Romney former Governor from Massachusetts -a men who somehow looks less tough than his ideas he believes in- he brings out the message of the sympatric guy next door but seems on the other hand very much holistic driven than some of his concurrents who are giving with exception of mister Huckerbee a much more pragmatically impression to the voters.
Definitely I expect very polarised elections in the U. S- and without any doubt- this elections are somehow crucial for the destiny of America and for the rest of the world.
christine schmidt, lima, Peru
What happened to Hillary 'Rodham'? Is the Clinton name suddenly not too embarrassing for her to use?
Andy, Sutton,
Hillary is exactly what this country needs. Without her I feel nothing will change and times will get harder, its gonna take someone who KNOWS what they are doing to get the USA back up on its feet. And I hate how this voting system is, it should be like it use to be, EACH and every SINGLE vote and those numbers is what puts the person into Office.
Sandra Sexton, Pikeville, Kentucky
What are Hillary's accomplishments? Failed health care reform? Hostessing teas at the White House? Being the spouse of cardiologist doesn't qualilfy one to operate! Mrs. Clinton belongs in the past and has no charisma. We are a democracy and do not want to a coronation! Mrs. Clinton used her husband's connections for her success and most Americans are aware of this. It's time for some new faces.
Mark Mulligan, Shepherdstown, USA West Virginia
Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush, Clinton's wife. Obama is the only hope of change.
Mendel Peterson, Sandy, Utah, USA
I would rather see a Presidential candidate express emotion, forcefully induced or not, rather than a candidate that doesn't seem to acknowledge that America has been on an emotional merry-go-round since 9/11. The President is supposed to represent America and I believe that humanizing herself simply makes her more of an American than one that refuses to show any feelings. America and her people have evolved and I say about time a President (candidate or otherwise) stops putting up a brick wall to their inner emotions. We can't expect to continue going down the same path and expect different results. America needs some drastic changes and Hilary is the one open-minded and dedicated enough to follow through. Are a few tears in the public eye something to hate? This is about as fair as making the lives of Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan daily news and special TV reports. We are all human and I for one would rather my President show it once in a while.
Sheryl Robeson, Fort Worth, TX
It is very difficult for an outsider to come into a place that thrives on power and connections like Washington DC and expect to get things done. Yes there have been a few in the past but they are exceptions. I would prefer a president who has experience within the halls of power and has some clear ideas on policy. Hilary fits the bill (pun) and I don't want to condemn her for the sins of her husband.
Andy, iowa, usa
I think Hillary will win this if she can keep her daughter of the stage. She deserves to win.She's earned it. Hillary, YOU GO GIRL. Please keep yourself in the spot light. I'm tired of my neighbors saying you look like you are babysitting your grown daughter by having her on stage everytime you make a speech.
Please correct this and things will start going your way.
A FRIEND AND SUPPORTER.
Earnesteene Kendrick, Warren,
google 'bush intelligence' for 3.2 million hits
rely on google to make a point and you look like a fool
Dave Trewick, Sunderland, UK
It's early yet, of course, but perhaps the horrifying prospects of another corrupt Clinton Whitehouse may be moving away.
Google "Clinton corruption" for 600,000 hits.
R Bingham, Lauzun, France
Well, would you believe it. Senator Clinton loves her country. Oh and she is running for the Presidential nomination. Is there actually any element of news in this story ?
Morag, Bristol, UK
Bet you won't see Bill for dust if she doesn't win
George Sign, Nice, France
Did either winner of last election's NH primary win anything? No. Much ado about nothing.
stefan, NYC,