The presidential candidates were expected to arrive in New Hampshire well before sunrise this morning and start battling for votes in the nation's first primary, one week from today. No more scenes from snow-covered Midwestern farms. No more explanations about caucuses in Iowa living rooms. No more satellite trucks encircling the old Hotel Fort Des Moines downtown or idling near the golden-domed state capitol on the hill. Iowa had more than its share of time in the national spotlight for caucuses that drew fewer than two in 10 voters and produced few surprises.
Caucuses are for party activists.
As expected, they rewarded the establishment candidates, Vice President Al Gore for the Democrats and Texas Gov. George W. Bush for the Republicans. In New Hampshire, where seven of 10 voters go to the polls and have a well-deserved reputation for independence, it is a different ballgame. The Iowa caucuses were the first baby step off the election starting line. New Hampshire next week will be a bigger step. The biggest leap comes March 7, when primaries are held in a dozen or so states, including California and New York.