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Final results: Summary results | Town resultsThe BasicsThe New Hampshire primary is a mainstay in American electoral politics. Every four years, voters gather to help determine the Republican and/or Democratic nominee for President. While the state only has 12 electoral votes in 2012 (normally it’s 24, but the Republican National Committee penalized the state party for moving up the event date), the primary’s position as one of the earliest contests gives the state out-sized influence over the nomination process.Only the Iowa caucuses come before New Hampshire’s primary. Traditionally, New Hampshire’s broad-based primary contest has been seen as a counter-weight to Iowa’s more drawn-out caucus process, which tends to draw a smaller core of party faithful. In the case of the 2012 Republican race, New Hampshire’s electorate is seen to represent the more libertarian-leaning, fiscally conservative wing of the party, while Iowa voters are seen as representing the socially conservative wing of the GOP base.N.H. Primary summary provided by StateImpact - NH reporter, Amanda Loder

President Obama Visits New Hampshire

The President told the crowd inside Oyster River High School how great it was to be back in New Hampshire. This was his first official campaign stop in the Granite State, a state he carried in 2008.

Obama says the promises he made four years ago still stand.

"And I made a commitment to you. I’m not going to be a perfect president. I’m not a perfect man. Michelle could tell you that. But you know what I did say….some of you may remember. I will always tell you where I stand. I will always tell you what I think, what I believe. And I will wake up every single day fighting for you."

Whether or not his base will fight for him as vigorously this time around could determine the President’s fate this November.

An estimated 1,200 supporters showed at least some commitment, enduring downpours outside of the Durham school before the gates opened.

Bill Hunt was one of those tucked under an umbrella. The 18-year old from Gilmanton will be voting for the first time this year, and likes Candidate Obama. But he wants to hear more…

"I’m hoping this event today energizes me a little bit to maybe volunteer, because that is something I would like to get into. I haven’t been motivated enough to do that yet."

In his speech, Obama did his best to motivate young voters like Bill Hunt.

"I need you to hit some doors and call some people and register your friends, talk to your neighbors, get on Facebook, get on Twitter. Let’s get to work."

Not everyone in Durham cheered along. Outside, about a dozen or so protesters held up soggy anti-Obama signs.

Linda Dupere says four more years of the same policies would be terrible for the country.

"There’s just so many reasons why this President of ours is not right for this country. His ideas are not right for our country. He’s not leading us in the right direction. And we are very worried about it."

Dupere says she’ll be voting for Mitt Romney, who is trailing slightly in recent New Hampshire polls.

Dante Scala, a political science professor with UNH, says New Hampshire’s relatively high proportion of well-off and well-educated voters could tip the state in Obama’s favor. But he says the state remains very much in play for the two candidates.

"I imagine if the race continues to be close nationwide, it will continue to be close in New Hampshire. One candidate gets the upper hand? That candidate will likely get the upper hand here as well, because of our bell weather status."

The President pushed to distinguish himself from his republican rival in his speech. He cited his support for green energy, a fairer tax code, more education funding,  and small business tax cuts.

Obama also said that after a decade of war, he wants to start doing some nation building at home.

Todd started as a news correspondent with NHPR in 2009. He spent nearly a decade in the non-profit world, working with international development agencies and anti-poverty groups. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University.
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