Since 1920 the New Hampshire primary has been the first stop for presidential hopefuls, and since 1924 every successful candidate in the general presidential election has always also won in New Hampshire, with the exception of Bill Clinton in 1992.
The primary's importance and accuracy has led it to adopt the slogan "Always first, always right," and it has launched New Hampshire and candidates, both mainstream and off-the-wall, into the nation's spotlight every four years.
Such renown has led many other states to move up the dates of their primaries in order to capture some of the attention. This procedure, known as "front-loading," led to the enactment of the New Hampshire pledge as a method to preserve the Granite State's first-in-the-nation status. This pledge requires candidates running in New Hampshire not to participate in any primary held earlier than seven days after the New Hampshire primary.
The ease of campaigning in the state has made it an ideal place for candidates to gain national prominence and test out their platforms.
An emphasis on personal politics in which candidates visit small stores, cafs and even voters' homes -- dubbed "retail politics" -- helps lesser-known candidates propel themselves into the national spotlight. Candidates who seem to be catching on in New Hampshire can often then become subjects of national media attention, furthering their momentum.
Such tactics gave Jimmy Carter the momentum he needed to propel himself from being a virtually unknown -- nicknamed in the primary "Jimmy Who?" -- all the way to the presidency.
The primary's meager ballot requirements -- including the completion of a filing form and the payment of a $1000 fee -- have made it an ideal place for "fringe" candidates to campaign. The lax restrictions have led over 100 candidates to run in the last two elections.
According to the Library & Archives of New Hampshire's Political Tradition, numerous colorful candidates have run throughout the years.
Willie Carter, of Texas, insisted that he was the son of Jesus and was destined to become president in 1996, while Jack Mabardy's platform was a governmental training course to prevent takeover by UFOs.
Irwin Schiff spent three years in jail as a self described "political prisoner" who refused to pay his income tax. Although, as a felon, he could not vote, he was still allowed to run for president in 1996.
Sam Rouseville never quite made it to being an official candidate. He dressed as Uncle Sam and rushed from Massachusetts to meet the filing deadline, only to be pulled over for speeding and kept from ever making it to Concord, N.H.
Perhaps the most interesting almost-ran was Colossus the Gorilla, entered by his owners at Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson. Because he was too big to fit in a car, they sent a chimpanzee to Concord as a stand-in. Colossus was eventually denied because, at only 16 years old, he didn't meet the federal age requirements.
Some candidates have been more well known. Ron Kovic, Vietnam War hero and subject of "Born on the Fourth of July," ran in 1992 and garnered 37 votes.
The primary has also spawned its own traditions. Neil Tillotson of Dixville Notch has cast the first vote in every general election for president since 1964. The centegenarerian hopes to continue his streak in 2000.
With all of the tradition and the stature that it brings, along with the $32 million it adds to the state's economy every four years, the first-in-the-nation primary is understandably something that New Hampshire is reluctant to let out of its grip. The state defeated the notion of a regional primary back in 1977.
