New Hampshire Could Give McCain a Jolt

Vote-second state has rescued flailing frontrunners before

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Aug 21, 2007 12:12 PM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain’s candidacy may be getting dragged through the mud lately, but the presidential hopeful might have an ace up his electoral sleeve—New Hampshire. The Granite State has a history of rescuing listless frontrunners, the Boston Globe reports, and the straight talker understands the state’s importance better than anyone.

He’s pulled off an upset in New Hampshire before—besting Bush in 2000—and may be attempting to repeat his August putsch with two consecutive weekends in the state, where independent voting rolls are surging. But this time around, he’ll have to follow the formula of Al Gore and John Kerry, who fended off surging underdogs Bill Bradley and Howard Dean by staying staid in New England.

State Capitol Building, Concord, New Hampshire (Archive Photos)

Republican presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., addressed the crowd in Claremont, N.H., Saturday, July 14, 2007. In 2007 McCain's slide in the presidential race shows up everywhere on... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., shakes hands during a campaign stop in Claremont, N.H., Saturday, July 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona talks with supporters before speaking at a Concord Chamber of Commerce event, Friday, July 13, 2007, in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Cheryl... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. John McCain, of Arizona, answers questions during a campaign stop in Claremont, N.H., Saturday, July 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (Associated Press)

Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, tries to walk through a packed crowd of reporters, photographers, television crews and voters following a noontime rally at the... (Associated Press)

U.S. Senator John McCain addresses the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington Monday afternoon, April 23, 2007. McCain will officially announce his... (Associated Press)

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New Hampshire Could Give McCain a Jolt

Vote-second state has rescued flailing frontrunners before

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Bush Disses Obama, Palin in Aide's Book

Obama 'has no clue,' while Palin isn't 'remotely prepared'

Paul Challenges GOP Agenda on Campaign Trail

"Lone wolf''s" campaign gains traction with the young and wired

Esquire Endorses Obama ... Kinda

He might be unable to define what change means, but Barack's the only horse in the race, say mag's editors

Mac Still Taking Weekends Off

But with 29 days to go, neither candidate is exactly galloping to the finish line

As Dems Hog Spotlight, GOP Is Under Siege

Republicans are losing seats held for decades

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New Hampshire Could Give McCain a Jolt

Vote-second state has rescued flailing frontrunners before

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

John McCain • Al Gore • John Kerry • presidential campaign • New Hampshire • Howard Dean • Bill Bradley • Republican presidential primaries • Election 2008 • presidential election • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Bush Disses Obama, Palin in Aide's Book

Obama 'has no clue,' while Palin isn't 'remotely prepared'

Paul Challenges GOP Agenda on Campaign Trail

"Lone wolf''s" campaign gains traction with the young and wired

Esquire Endorses Obama ... Kinda

He might be unable to define what change means, but Barack's the only horse in the race, say mag's editors

Mac Still Taking Weekends Off

But with 29 days to go, neither candidate is exactly galloping to the finish line

As Dems Hog Spotlight, GOP Is Under Siege

Republicans are losing seats held for decades

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?