Who won NH?
The New Hampshire Primary is over and the press is proclaiming the results to the world at large. According to the media Clinton and McCain won their respective races. But is this actually the case? That depends on how you look at the primaries and caucuses.
The Democratic results from NH were: Clinton 110,550 (39%); Obama: 102,883 (36%); Edwards: 47,803 (17%); Richardson: 12,987 (5%); Kucinich: 3,845 (1%). This shows that Sen. Clinton barely edged out Sen. Obama, but did win the popular vote in the NH Primary. This is what the media is reporting about.
Let us look at the practical matter of the allotment of delegates, since it’s these delegates who will actually nominate the Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate. It’s these men and women, plus 852 “superdelegates”, who will determine which candidate is nominated. Democratic primaries and caucuses award delegates on a proportional basis. Below is the break down of delegates for the 2008 NH Primary:
- Hillary Clinton won 9 New Hampshire delegates
- Barack Obama won 9 New Hampshire delegates
- John Edwards won 4 New Hampshire delegates
From the perspective of delegates the 2008 NH Democratic Primary was a tie between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama.
On the Republican side of the 2008 Election race the results were more conclusive: McCain 86,802 (37%); Romney 73,806 (32%); Huckabee 26,035 (11%); Giuliani 20,054 (9%); Paul 17,831 (8%); Thompson 2,808 (1%). This shows McCain as a solid winner of the popular vote in the Republican primary.
Let us once again look at the practical matter of the allotment of delegates, since it’s these delegates who will actually nominate the Republican Party’s Presidential Candidate.
- John McCain won 7 New Hampshire delegates
- Mitt Romney won 4 New Hampshire delegates
- Mike Huckabee won 1 New Hampshire delegate
John McCain actually did win the 2008 NH Republican Primary in all practical ways.
Tags: 2008 Elections | Clinton | Edwards | Giuliani | Huckabee | McCain | Obama | Politics | Romney | Thompson
January 9th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Nice break down. I still find myself baffled by the U.S. primary system, especially with being out of the U.S. for a while.
One note of import if you are a supporter of Dems as a whole is that they are turning out in much higher numbers this year, especially in comparison to Republicans.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
“John McCain actually did win the 2008 NH Republican Primary in all practical ways.” Except that he was voted for by predominantly non Republicans. I do concur though tnice rap up.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Ben & in2thefray,
Thank you! I tried to compile everything in a readable format and am glad it’s useful.
It is somewhat strange that McCain was actually competing against Obama at least as must as he was vs. Romney. I wonder if McCain’s success had any negative impact on Obama in NH, or if those independents would have chosen the Republic primary anyway.
January 9th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
will it matter who wins, if congress is lame? i used to think that way until bush was elected and destroyed our army are country our reputation or childrens future.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Hello, Bill – welcome to Reflections From A Murky Pond.
Will who gets elected matter? I’d have to that it does matter, since that President will be setting national policy and being the “face person” for the US.
You’re right though in thinking that the President doesn’t have as much power as the masses seem to think. It’s very true that Congress has a lot to do with how the country is run. No matter who wins the 2008 Presidential elections, the upcoming Congressional elections are equally as important.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Hello Jonolan,
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Your break down of delegates points out that the percentage or popular vote shouldn’t be used to determine who has “won” a state. Obama’s camp clearly felt as if they had NH in the bag and are probably still trying to figure out what went wrong. I think your statement in your reply to Ben and in2thefray is dead on, McCain was able to work those Independent votes and as a result Clinton “won” the primary.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:37 am
What I find interesting is that the democratic candidate will either be a woman or black. Were it not for my cynicism it would almost give me hope.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Kim,
Thanks for stopping in! I liked your blog as well and will return – you have been warned! LOL.
It’s going to be a strange race since there are candidates on both sides this time that are actually campaigning to the Independents and moderates. I expect more overlap and competition between Obama and McCain in the future.
Bob,
Firstly, welcome! Yes, it’s a strange time, one that almost inspires hope.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I still think Barack Obama is going to win because he discusses about the same topics and more of them as well. He focuses on racism, civil rights, and immigration. GO OBAMA!!!!
January 14th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I’ve heard Obama’s speeches, read transcripts of his interviews, and reviewed his voting record; none of those support the assertion that he “focuses on racism, civil rights, and immigration.” That fact is part of why Obama is my fall-back candidate! Since I’m essentially a Republican, that’s a HUGE thing in and of itself.
Obama, instead of focusing on racism, civil rights, and immigration, seems to address the underlying economic and social problems that lead to such things. That is a gigantic plus in my books.
Thanks for stopping by, Brianna. Please be assured that you’re always welcome here.
January 20th, 2008 at 10:23 am
[…] Clinton and Romney won their respective races. But is this actually the case? As with the previous NH primary, that depends on how you look at the primaries and […]