YOUR COMMENTS

If you look at the returns in New Hampshire, race does not seem to have factored into the vote. The more ethnically diverse large cities (Manchester and Nashua) went big for Clinton, but the lily white small towns in rural areas went for Obama. Gender did seem to have an impact on the vote, as well as the two big issues--the Economy and the War, with the Economy trumping the war issue which favored Clinton. By the way, everyone seems to forget that Obama only lost by 3 points. I think the media played up the huge momentum he had from his Iowa victory just 5 days before. Prior to Iowa, Obama was down about 20 points in the polls in New Hampshire! I resent the suggestion that New Hampshire voters are racist just because Obama lost by a small margin. By the way, I voted for Obama and I know that a close second in New Hampshire isn't going to set him back.
- M Taylor, Washington, NH

First, cheers to the Granite State for once again demonstrating to the rest of the country why New Hampshire deserves to hold the First in the Nation primary. What a magnificent voter turn out, Democrats and Republicans alike! Once again the responsible citizens of New Hampshire weighed in and let their voices be heard. Have to admit my candidate came up a bit short, but clearly not because New Hampshire is racist. No, instead of being racist, the litmus test for any candidate in New Hampshire, regardless of gender or race, is a matter of character and substance. Perhaps if Senator Obama had more than five days to make his final pitch statewide, the outcome may have been considerably different. Time, specifically a lack thereof, should be taken in consideration when viewing the final results instead of attempts to falsely tag the citizens of the Granite State.
- Gene J. Murray, Amherst, NY

I used to like Chris Matthews, but I will NEVER watch him again. How dare he call NH racist, when 36% of the people voted for Mr. Obama, which was exactly what many of he polls predicted.

Quite simply, Chris Matthews owes NH an apology, and it better come well before he goes up there to cover the next NH primary, because his insult won't be forgotten!
- Frank M., Boston MA

We all know how accurate Polls are, with asking a small portion of the masses a question and then basing a conclusion on it.
When it came to most of the poll calls, I would just give random answers and random candidates. Every call I gave a different answer. Polls should never be taken as law, they are an estimated guess at best.
- E. Winston, Manchester

NH is not racist! In fact, NH is quite intelligent and Hillary is an intelligent choice. Race or gender have nothing to do with it. To say otherwise is insulting. But, then the media is insulting and like one big marketing blitz if they keep saying Obama is the best or "new and improved" version then people will try it...Like every other "new and improved" product out there I doubt we'd notice much difference just another reason to pay more. The ANTI-HILLARY media is always looking for more voters to jump on the HATE HILLARY band wagon so for most of us it's easier to keep out votes private like our parents once did
- RM Breault, Manchester

Your editorial mischaracterizes what is being said on the news . I have heard the topic discussed and every time the same conclusion is found that in fact it is unlikely that NH did not vote for Obama because he is black. It is a topic worth exploring and for those of us that spent many years in NH and left the State might think the NH has a racial bias. I went to Memorial HS and was there when the very first black family children went to school there and there was a huge amount of discomfort within the student population. about a black kid going to Memorial. The vote was so close that at least among Independent and Democrat voters that there is little likelihood that race was involved by very much in their voting pattern.
- Joe Zelinski, Menlo Pakr CA

I have to admit that I was getting alot of phone calls from pollsters and fake pollsters over the last 2 weeks and was getting sick of it. So when they'd ask me who I was voting for, I'd pick the candidate of the hour and never who I was actually voting for. I for one was glad to see Wednesday come around. Now, How about all you campaign workers pickup a few signs from your candidate and help us get our beautiful state of New Hampshire back into shape???
- Mike B, Portsmouth

For anybody to think that Obama didn't win in NH because NH is racist needs to have their head examined. Last night, Anderson Cooper was examining that very issue and frankly, the race issue should not even be brought up. Obama received over 104,000 votes here in NH. He did a remarkable job and for any pundits to take that away from him is shameful but for any pundits to claim NH is racist is even more disgusting. How about looking at the positives that came out of NH. Obama received over 104,000 votes. That is amazing for a candidate who has only served a year in the senate. Hillary may have won the over all primary in NH but there was no mandate by any stretch.
So, for those pundits that want to use their perch behind a camera or behind a computer, instead of viewing NH as racist, how about viewing NH as a state that showed up to vote, in record numbers and our voices were heard loud and clear.
- Mike Porter, Manchester, NH

Thank You for this editorial. I am so sick of these airhead "intelectuals" finding racism everywhere they look. How about viewing the glass asa half full? Isn't it amazing how an empty suit like Obama who got to the US Senate four years ago because of a dirty trick by the Chicago newspapers could do as well as he did. NH is racist, please, and please apologize CHRIS MATTHEWS of MSNBC for this unsupportable acusation.
- Jack Langley, Hollis

Bob is right. The plain old fact is that Obama hasn't DONE ANYTHING. What are his qualifications?

You have to act as the hiring manager when considering candidates for what is perhaps one of the most important jobs in the world.

I would love to get a job as one of those guys fishing on tv all day, but that doesn't mean I'll apply for that job, because I know nothing about it.
- brian, nashua

I don't understand why anybody would NOT want somebody so new like Obama; he hasn't been there long enough to have been unduly influenced by corrupt politicans and lobbiests. Obviously he should surround himself with experienced people but at least he won't be thinking about which people he has to hit back with favors.
- j, manchester

JD, Repulicans in NH are in trouble because of all the liberal, secular carpetbaggers who have diluted, poisoned and corrupted our once moral, conservative, independant, tax-free, based on personal freedom, consitutionally-anchored, abortion is murder, marriage is between a man and a woman government.
- D E George, Dover

It is always fun to listen to the new excuses that the political sages come up with following yet another blown call. As an independent, I could have voted for either Clinton or Obama and I chose neither. Would the experts posit that I am both racist and sexist? Yikes! I thought it was because I just didn’t believe that either is ready to lead the country.

The pundits can speculate on the cause of this “stunning” turn of events all they want. Any evidence that they cite is anecdotal, at best. There is no way of knowing exactly why voters voted the way they did, but this notion that democratic and independent New Hampshire voters are collectively racist not only insulting, but patently absurd.
- Kevin Drew, Milford

Anything but admit that Barrack Obama simply didn't have the experience that Hillary did.

The guy simply doesn't have a record to base an opinion on about his qualifications to be President.

He was only in the Senate for one year before running. Good Grief!
- Bob Jean, Northwood, NH

When we voted at Ward 5 at 10:00 AM it was very clear that something was up as we saw all the women standing at the polls for HIllary and coming out of the booths clearly evident that they were on a mission. An Obama campaign worker was calling next door on our return and we told him it looked good for Hillary. He
said his vote would be in later.
If NH is racist as some punduts allege, how did Obama get so many votes?????We did not vote for either Clinton or Obama, just observing
- Hon. William J. Mccarthy, manchester NH

This business of tell the pollster one thing but vote for the white guy is called the "Bradley Effect" after the California politician who ran into this problem. I am sure it exists but not this time. The Bradley effect requires both a candidate who is PC and a candidate who in not PC and who you don't want to admit supporting. Here we had two politically correct candidates. No one would have thought telling the pollster they supported Clinton was reactionary. Politically incorrect to say they wanted to help put the first woman in the oval office? I don't think so.
- Joe Sewell, Weare NH

NH is not racist and I am very impress with the strong second finish of Obama in NH.
Obama should have spent more time in Southern New Hampshire especially Nashua and Manchester.
It was a wonderful election and the residents of NH came out en mass to express their frustration over the the Bush Administration's goals of leading our Country down the Toilet.
Republicans in New Hampshire are in trouble because of the high number of votes casted for Democratic Candidates.
- JD Williams, Manchester NH

I spent the day at the polls in West Labanon on Tuesday between the Obama and Hilary campaigns. The Hillary supporters were mostly middle aged women hoping for the first woman president. I enjoyed spirited exchanges with both camps discussing political philosophy. Towards the end of the day a "super Democratic Delegate" (at the Democratic convention certain people get more than one vote) Tried to read to me an article by Gloria stienem claiming that Hillary Clinton is actually the black canndidate running for the Democrats in this election.

This is not a joke this ACTUALLY happened!
- Brian Fellers, Grafton Nh