Obama's N.H. Primary Day
NASHUA, N.H. -- On the day of the New Hampshire primary, Barack Obama focused on courting young and undecided voters who may make a last minute decision to vote for him.
At an early morning rally at Dartmouth College, Obama urged young voters to "think bigger" and join his campaign.
"Don't think that all you have to do it look out for yourselves. Don't think that your life is simply going to be led to make enough money, to buy a fancy house, to get a nice car," Obama said, "Think bigger than that, as a generation, think bigger than that. This is a good time to start, right here, right now, today."
Amy Fowler, a Dartmouth faculty member, hoped that the event would help her decide between Hillary Clinton and Obama. She said that a candidate's platform is more important than whether or not their presidency will have historical implications.
"I don't think that either candidate as a first-time African-American or a woman is a consideration for me," Fowler said, "I think that it's more their platforms, and sort of what they stand for and who can bring change."
Elias Apley, an Edwards supporter, said he plans to vote for Obama. "After seeing the energy in Iowa and how incredible the landslide was and the energy that he brought to New Hampshire following the Iowa caucus, I believe as a Democrat, I need to back that."
The Obama campaign said staffers have spent the last four days knocking on doors and making phone calls to undecided voters. The campaign said they have garnered 22,000 new supporters since the Iowa caucuses.
Later at a Dunkin Donuts in Manchester, Obama told reporters that he is already thinking ahead to Nevada, South Carolina, and "tsunami Tuesday." He predicts that the campaign will have some challenges in running ads in all of the upcoming states. Obama hopes to make up for that in organizational strength and with strong platform.
"I think the message of bringing people together, of pushing against the special interests, of being straight with the American people that that message will resonate across the country and we're pretty confident that we've got as many volunteers and grassroots supporters and organizers than any other campaign."
When asked if a New Hampshire win with give him the frontrunner title, Obama said - sounding a bit like John Edwards, "My name is Barack Obama. I am never a frontrunner. I am always the underdog."