Bush Support Slips in GOP - Dominated N.H.

[cal04]

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- The Granite State has all the makings of Bush Country: more registered Republicans than Democrats, a GOP-dominated legislature, and Republicans in the governor's office and both houses of Congress.

Its economy is growing faster than the rest of the region, the state is starting to add manufacturing jobs after years of massive declines, and the already low unemployment rate continues to drop. Yet poor job approval ratings plague President Bush here, even though some polls indicate voters are starting to give him some credit for the economic recovery. More than half of its military reservists have been called to active duty.

Bush remains locked in a tight race with Democratic rival John Kerry.
Underscoring the competitiveness of New Hampshire, Bush is stopping by while on his way to a nephew's wedding in Maine. He is expected to arrive at New Hampshire's Pease International Tradeport on Friday and spend about an hour at a picnic in nearby Stratham, his third visit to the state this year.

``In theory, he should be ahead in New Hampshire,'' said pollster Dick Bennett of Manchester-based American Research Group. ``But there's still a feeling of uncertainty ... it's not the actual state of the economy, it's that people just don't have a good feeling about it.''

In 2000 Bush narrowly won New Hampshire, which neighbors Kerry's home state of Massachusetts. Of New Hampshire's 714,119 registered voters, 34 percent are Republicans and 28 percent are Democrats. Undeclared or independent voters total 38 percent but traditionally lean toward the GOP. Bennett's latest poll has Bush and Kerry about even. Another poll taken at the same time has Kerry slightly ahead.



http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-New-Hampshire-Politics.html

[Cocoa]

1. didn't Bush lose the republican primary in NH this year?

or come close?

[WI_DEM]

2. no

His dad almost did in '92

[Bluebear]

5. No but a significant # of Republicans voted Kerry

...in their own primary.

[DaveinMD]

3. Kerry

will win New Hampshire. I'm almost certain of it. The independants in that state have been acting more and more like Democrats. More and more Massachusetts liberals have been moving there as well. We are winning New Hampshire.

[Old and In the Way]

7. I think so too.

I think lots of Republicans might publicly lean to Bush, but when they are in the privacy of the voting booth....they'll vote for sanity.

[klook]

4. Only 4 electoral votes, BUT...

NH is a Republican bellwether.

[On the Road]

6. Kerry is a Favorite Son in NH

An amazing percentage of NH voters -- something like 30% -- used to live in Massachusetts at one point. That makes a huge difference.

[merbex]

8. All New Englanders for Kerry should head to NH and Maine

It is still TOO CLOSE in NH to take it for granted.I plan on volunteering/canvassing in NH in Sept and however long it takes till Nov.2nd
And don't forget Maine!! They actually award their electoral votes proportionally;We need New Engalnd as a block of electoral votes with none going to Bush