After last night, New Hampshire vot ers might want to seriously consider changing their state’s nickname – from the Granite State to the Comeback State.
Traditionally, New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary has produced startling results. And last night was no exception – to put it mildly.
John McCain‘s decisive win over Mitt Romney in the Republican contest not only revived his once-moribund campaign, but vaulted him squarely into the frontrunner’s slot.
On the Democratic side, Hillary Rodham Clinton refused to surrender to the pollsters and prognosticators – delivering an epic in-your-face upset.
In other words, both parties’ presidential nominations remain decidedly up for grabs. Which means that voters in many more states will get to have a real say in who heads the Democratic and GOP tickets come November.
And that makes the electoral process the night’s biggest winner.
Coming just weeks after his campaign was being written off, McCain’s strong victory over Mitt Romney was an intensely personal win that speaks directly to his resiliency.
More important, it was an explicit endorsement of his steadfastness on the continuing US mission in Iraq – and a recognition by the voters that the surge, led by Gen. David Petraeus, has turned the war around.
Clearly, Granite State Republicans wanted a candidate with a distinguished record of honorable service – someone whom they believed was qualified to be commander-in-chief. McCain fills that bill, and doubtless he will do well in Michigan, South Carolina and beyond because of it.
Voters responded to his straight-talk sincerity – of the kind he displayed in last night’s victory speech, when he spoke of serving “a cause greater than self-interest.”
For him, said McCain, “that greater cause has been my country, which I have served imperfectly for many years, but have loved without any reservation every day of my life.”
But McCain’s battle is just beginning.
Romney, while battered, is not beaten. And Mike Huckabee, who finished third, will remain a contender, particularly in the southern primaries.
Then there’s Rudy Giuliani, who pretty much stayed away from Iowa and New Hampshire (unwisely, it seems) in favor of later primaries, like Florida. He appears to have fallen out of the national conversation, and it’s not at all clear whether he can get back in it.
As for the Democrats, the race between Clinton and Barack Obama – who expected to give his own victory speech last night – has turned into a virtual roller-coaster ride.
Not long ago, it looked like Clinton was going to promenade her way to a veritable coronation at the Denver convention. Then she finished third in Iowa, and plunged in the polls – to the point where the experts predicted a double-digit Obama blowout in New Hampshire.
So much for experts.
Even had she finished a close second, Hillary would have been the night’s biggest story. As it is, her outright victory – despite signs of despair within her campaign – demonstrates that it’s always a mistake to count a Clinton out.
Still, one thing is clear: If Hillary Clinton is going to win the Democratic nomination, she won’t be getting any free rides. She’s going to have to fight for it.
At the same time, though, New Hampshire was a slap in the face to Obama. For all the excitement surrounding his campaign – which clearly has tapped into voter discontent – and his adoring media coverage, he doesn’t necessarily walk on water.
Bottom line: Campaign 2008 is just getting started. It’s going to be a long and fascinating ride.