Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

New Hampshire

By Michael Lee - posted Wednesday, 9 February 2000


A week is a long time in politics is a hackneyed line, but for GOP front runner George W Bush it probably has new meaning after the New Hampshire primaries. Only a week ago Bush had won the Iowa Caucuses and was expecting a win, albeit a tough one, in New Hampshire. His campaign had raised over $US69 million and had the backing of nearly every GOP elected official from the past and present. He had a towering lead over his opponents in the national polls and an aura of inevitability about him.

Enter Senator John McCain and the New Hampshire Primary. The result was an absolute disaster for Bush who was thrashed by McCain by a whopping 18 percent margin. Even worse for Bush, who labelled himself as the Conservative candidate, were the exit polls which showed he was unable to capture more of the conservative vote than McCain. Asked what happened to Bush in New Hampshire, the McCain camp summed it up in one word - "Iceberg".

Bush for his part accepted the loss by saying it was just a bump on the road to the White House and that he expected things would be different from here on in.

Advertisement

Unfortunately for Bush it wasn’t to be. First came news that the Bush workers had forged people’s signatures to get Bush on the ballot in the 16th Congressional district in New York. Not exactly good news when the Bush camp had been trying to get both McCain and Steve Forbes struck off the ballot claiming technical irregularities in their petitions. By the end of the week the GOP establishment in New York, which has been favouring Bush, made the political decision to withdraw their challenges and allowed McCain and Forbes to be placed on the ballot across the State.

Second came the first series of polls in South Carolina since the New Hampshire primary results were released which showed McCain had surged to the lead or at worst was equal with Bush. Hardly great news when previous polls had showed Bush with a lead of over 20 points. Just as worrying were poll data coming from California which showed Bush wouldn’t beat Gore but McCain would. And just when Bush thought things couldn’t get any worse one of his supporters, launched a frontal assault on McCain and his commitment to veterans in an attempt to discredit him amongst the large voting population of veterans in South Carolina. Indeed the campaign for the votes of the veteran community will be a tough fight. But one has to wonder just how smart a move it was when one considers that McCain is a veteran himself having spent five and a half years as a POW in the "Hanoi Hilton".

And whilst Bush lurched from one problem to another the McCain camp was moving from strength to strength having raised a record amount of money from online contributions.

American campaigns more so than other campaigns rely heavily upon momentum. Take too many hits and things quickly go down hill. So it’s understandable that by the end of the week Bush was looking battered and weary. Indeed the "inevitability" tag was starting to look like "quite possibly".

Expect a big week ahead on the GOP side with plenty of negative attacks from the Bush camp.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Michael Lee is a Brisbane based consultant who assesses economic loss in litigation matters. His interests include human rights, American political history, and Native Title.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Michael Lee
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy