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Small Bloggers Cut a Wide Swath in NH

Candidates come calling as locals' influence widens

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 1, 2007 5:41 PM CDT

(Newser) – Average Joes moonlighting as political bloggers are wielding the power of kingmakers in tiny New Hampshire, and candidates—at least the second-tier—are noticing. Says a high school Latin teacher of his Blue Hampshire blog: “One minute I'm in the teachers' lounge making copies and the next I'm spending 30 minutes on the phone with Bill Richardson,” the Journal reports.

The influential Everyman blog—like counterparts in Iowa, Florida, and South Caroline—benefits candidates short on publicity. "You have people who can convert readers into potential activists," says a Chris Dodd staffer. John Edwards underestimated Blue Hampshire’s weight when he canceled a second interview with the site—throwing one powerful Latin teacher’s endorsement to Dodd.

Democratic Presidential hopeful, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, speaks at a town hall forum in Peterborough, NH, on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007. One Blue Hampshire member was recently offered a brief interview aboard Edwards' campaign bus. (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter)
Democratic Presidential hopeful, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, speaks at a town hall forum in Peterborough, NH, on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007. One Blue Hampshire member was recently...   (Associated Press)
The U.S. flag flies alongside the New Hampshire state flag in this file photo.
The U.S. flag flies alongside the New Hampshire state flag in this file photo.   (Shutterstock.com)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Ct., looks for a working pen as he files his declaration of candidacy for the New Hampshire's presidential primary at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H., Friday, Oct. 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Ct., looks for a working pen as he files his declaration of candidacy for the New Hampshire's presidential primary at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H.,...   (Associated Press)
The logo for Blue Hampshire, a Democratic political blog, increasingly validated by personal attention from candidates.
The logo for Blue Hampshire, a Democratic political blog, increasingly validated by personal attention from candidates.   (bluehampshire.com)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., center, talks with children during a campaign stop at the Chez Vachon in Manchester, N.H. on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007. These are people who, if we can get them, they'll go out and convince their friends to support [a candidate]. They have large...
Presidential hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., center, talks with children during a campaign stop at the Chez Vachon in Manchester, N.H. on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007. "These are people who, if we can get...   (Associated Press)
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