Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Monday marked a highly active day on the campaign trail in New Hampshire for both Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. Huntsman especially burned a path through the state with 7 different appearances. Romney had 3.
Romney focused on southern New Hampshire, and I caught up with his campaign in Hudson at Gilchrist Metal Fabricating. The thing that has become most evident in the Romney appearances I have attended is that he has essentially double the number of media members following him to individual events compared to four years ago. If it doesn't confirm some sort of frontrunner status, it at least is reflective that a collective of media organizations views him that way.
Romney certainly had his share of supporters at the business, but also a few detractors. When questions were opened up to people in the audience, some of those questions drew boos from the crowd because they were perceived to be anti-Romney. One of the workers I talked to said he didn't believe Romney would be any more capable than Barack Obama of improving economic conditions in this country.
Perhaps my personal highlight of the day was interviewing a man who called himself Vermin Supreme. Checking Wikipedia, it looks like the guy is a satirist. On first glance, he certainly seemed a tad off wearing an Uncle Sam outfit, a plastic mouse nose and wearing a boot on his head. After interviewing him, it was pretty apparent to me there is method to the man's madness. His comments poked ironically at Republican and Democrat political tactics. He certainly added color to the often routine campaign trail - essentially cat-calling Mitt Romney with a megaphone and telling him to walk over and debate him "like a man."
This afternoon it was on to the extremely busy Huntsman campaign. I dropped in on an appearance at Crosby Bakery in Nashua. While the bakery was quaint - apparently a fixture in town since the 1940s - and the fare looked fantastic, some in the crowd came away wondering why the event wasn't hosted at a larger venue. As soon as Huntsman stepped out of the car, he was mobbed by a huge pack of reporters (me included). I don't ever recall in a "scrum" having someone put an arm around my waste and pull me back. That happened this time. Inside, no doubt various fire code rules were broken as a hoard of reporters, photographers and supporters packed the kitchen. I'd like to say Huntsman had something unique to say, but only a few photographers were close enough to record it. The closest I got to Huntsman was outside, long enough to snap a couple of decent photos.
Then again, if the Huntsman campaign is about perception and beating expectations, the tighter confines may have helped to make the crowd look a little more impressive. It certainly was significantly smaller than similar Romney events.
Once again Monday night I had a fantastic dinner. This time it was at Martha's Exchange. The menu offered an eclectic fare. I had the Thai Chicken - essentially like it sounds with veggies over crispy rice noodles. It was delicious. Doug Wright's and Lee Lonsberry's meals looked equally outstanding and artfully displayed. Also impressive about the restaurant was some of the old décor that had been integrated into the newer restaurant. The bar area featured some vintage woodwork and I believe the ceiling fixtures had been left around, too. With metal work and fans, they added character.
Well, off to bed. No doubt it is going to be a long Tuesday - primary day in New Hampshire!
