Judd Gregg: “There is an irony today as we look at Iraq. As democracy is flourishing, the Democratic Party in the United States has…”

“There is an irony today as we look at Iraq. As democracy is flourishing, the Democratic Party in the United States has tried to contract the democratic process by attempting to mute the New Hampshire primary. The New Hampshire primary is sort of the last best hope for the dream that anybody can become President in this country. It is the last opportunity in this country for a person who is underfunded and who has not been chosen by the Washington talking heads as a potential candidate of purpose to have the opportunity to go somewhere and actually make an impact. Underfunded, nonrecognized candidates who have legitimacy can succeed in New Hampshire and, therefore, interject themselves into the opportunity to become President. And it has happened time and again. The argument that New Hampshire is not representative is belied by the facts. Again and again, New Hampshire has reflected an opportunity for people to come to New Hampshire, participate in the process, make a name for themselves, and move forward in the process. Henry Cabot Lodge upset Nelson Rockefeller and Barry Goldwater there. Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern upset the candidates who were perceived to be the sure-fire winners of their nomination, in fact, in one case, a sitting President. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton not only came to New Hampshire and made a name for themselves as people not recognized nationally but moved on to become President of the United States.…”