Once every four years the UNH campus is littered with well-groomed people pressing the flesh and making promises for a better tomorrow, and it all starts in New Hampshire (with the exception of the Iowa caucus). Up Close and Personal describes the New Hampshire primary tradition and the unique citizen access to presidential candidates. Here at UNH, students get some of the best exposure to the candidates. Their ubiquitous presence on campus every four years is like migratory geese, pleasant for most and a nuisance to some. Still, the opportunity to meet a future U.S. president, up close and personal, is unique to New Hampshire. And sometimes, they come back to thank us!

Special thanks to Susan Roman (UNH’74) and her husband, Chris Regan for the loan of their political memorabilia collection. Susan and Chris, attorneys who live in Durham, collect presidential memorabilia with a focus on NH primary materials; most of the artifacts in the exhibit relate to New Hampshire politics. Though they collect with a flare for the bi-partisan, Susan’s role as chair of the UNH Students for McGovern in 1972 spawned a passion for all things McGovern. We’ve included a selection from this part of their collection in the exhibition.

Thanks also to Bruce DeMay and Michael Dunham for their supplemental loans that help complete the exhibition, and to Susan for making the arrangements. Susan has been a true co-curator.

Come Early, Come Often

Though our "first in the nation" status was established in 1920, it wasn’t until 1952 when NH citizens, rather than delegates, had first pick of the candidates in a line-up then called the "beauty contest." New Hampshire’s early preference of candidates is pivotal to every presidential election, a chance for some to test the waters and for others to be weeded out.

To compete for the early national spotlight, several states are challenging our first in the nation status by moving their primaries closer to the New Hampshire election. Since our first primary on March 11, 1952, the date has been moved back incrementally to its current January 22, 2008 date. The candidates campaign earlier each election to further the notion that as a voter in New Hampshire, you can count on several opportunities to meet them all before you’ve made up your mind!

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VOTE!

The museum is conducting a straw poll. Step into an authentic voting booth and vote for your favorite candidate, then put your ballot into the antique Boston ballot box. The winner to be announced on Primary Day.