| October 6, 2008 The anatomy of a New Hampshire voter
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(Greg Wayland, NECN) - A couple of weeks ago, the presidential race seemed too close to call in the Granite State. However a new poll out Monday indicates that Barack Obama has a 13 percent lead over John McCain. NECN's greg Wayland takes the pulse of campaign volunteers.
Elm Street, Manchester -- that Main Street of American lore.
John McCain tested his message here and around New Hampshire and won presidential primaries this year and in 2000.
But this year, Barack Obama's strong challenge has put the granite state up for grabs. Both sides agree on that.
New Hampshire voters are famously independent.
The number of undecided voters is remaining steady.
In a cramped alcove at McCain headquarters, Pat Rueppel assembles campaign lawn signs.
She's a young-looking 78 years old, says she's been stumping for republicans since 1948 and is sticking with John McCain.
"Because he's a maverick. And I am, too, and we make things happen."
At Obama headquarters here in Manchester they say they have thousands of volunteers on a weekly basis now. We found about two dozen of them working the phones.
This is Jarrett. I'm a field organizer for the Obama-Biden campaign, how's it going?
The Obama camp says it has some 100 field workers in addition to phone banks in 16 statewide offices. Justyne Griffin is a college student and phone volunteer.
A lot of undecided right now. I definitely hear from a lot of voters
who are concerned about the direction of the country.
I'd say for every few supporters you'll have one undecided. It really changes every day.
That applause, by the way, breaks out with each ringing of the bell, and the bell gets rung each time someone says they're supporting Obama.
Some phone conversations with potential voters end abruptly.
But many end with that rung bell.
They're mentioning the economy. They're mentioning that they want change and a stronger middle class.
But the undecided factor looms large.
A lot of people don't have all the information they feel they need to make the decisions.
McCain phone volunteers are encountering their share of undecided republicans or swing-voters mixed in with solid McCain backers.
We've been asking them how they're leaning on voting and if there's something that's going to change their mind, and they might say they're waiting for the debates or something like that.
Meanwhile, the Obama and McCain campaigns are lately trading charges and counter-charges over the health care issue.
Up to twenty million people could lose their health care coverage.
We've seen Barrack Obama spreading a number of lies about the McCain plan over the past few days.
And it's not surprising that the market crash is on the minds of granite state voters.
They're mentioning the economy. They're mentioning that they want change and a stronger middle class.
New Hampshire voters are serious when it comes to pocketbook issues. They always have been. This is a state that has neither a sales nor an income tax.
The race remains as close as Pat Rueppel has seen it in all her years.
And over at Obama headquarters, they're hoping the bell will toll for them.
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