ROMNEY TAKES NEW HAMPSHIRE
By: Hope Wilkos
Photographer: George Whylie
Videographer: Maxine Nolan
Photos Courtesy of A/P, Getty Images, Reuter
Another primary is down and former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, presses forward as the solid winner of the New Hampshire primary. Voter turnout set a record as was expected. Front runner Romney took 39% of the vote, Ron Paul came in second with 23% of the vote and Jon Huntsman finished third with 17% of the vote. Those trailing behind were former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, and former Pennsylvania Senator, Rick Santorum, holding in fourth place with Texas Governor, Rick Perry, finishing last.
The leader is still working hard to maintain his lead as the candidates head for South Carolina. He is proclaiming that he will support the return to American ideals while at the same time he was taking a swing at President Obama and what he currently stands for, “This President puts his faith in the government. We put our faith in the American people”, Romney is quoted as saying.
Ron Paul is attracting a younger crowd and he is campaigning for freedom in America. He is confident and stands tall with the principle that he is right behind his contender, Mitt Romney. Huntsman also keeps an optimistic attitude with his bipartisan approach.
On the Democratic side, President Obama received all the votes in the Democratic primary.
South Carolina is a much more conservative state and Romney has a bit of a blemish now that he will have to smooth over and it is based on his statement of, “I like being able to fire people”, the end of a longer statement referencing health care. It was definitely not meant in the context that it was taken in. Rivals are quick to use it as ammunition against him. Huntsman was quoted as saying, “Governor Romney enjoys firing people. I enjoy creating jobs.”
While the Republicans were making their rounds in New Hampshire, Vice President Joe Biden held a video teleconference on Tuesday evening with New Hampshire supporters. He highlighted Obama’s successes in his current term of office while criticizing the Republican candidates. The biggest accomplishments of Obama are stabilizing the financial system, passing stimulus legislation, creating 3 million jobs, passing health care reform and rescuing the auto industry. The focus will continue to be on the middle class.
Most Americans are focusing on the economy and that continues to be a major driver in this election.
We will see what South Carolina holds for the Republicans as they make their way to the state for the next crucial primary.
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