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Larry AgranBorn: 1945Filed from: California
NH Primaries -- Votes 1992 -- (D) 331 Platform: Universal health care Mayor of Irvine, CA, for 12 years, Agran wanted to cut $150 billion from the Defense budget for a "peace dividend" to fund health care. Although most journalists believed him to be the smartest candidate in the race, he had no money and no national standing. Because he'd held no office higher than Mayor and could not finance a national campaign, he was excluded from debates and candidates' forums, and a "media freeze" took him out of the race in NH. "I demand to be heard."
Howard H. Baker, Jr.Born: 1925Filed from: TennesseeNH Primaries -- Votes1980 -- (R) 18,943Platform: Curtail oil-dependency
In 1966, Baker, a consummate legislative politician, became the first Republican ever popularly elected to the Senate from Tennessee. During his presidential campaign, he tried to launch a national commitment to replace gasoline-powered automobiles. He is a fine and devoted amateur photographer whose hobby of taking candid political photos is almost an obsession. "We live on an oasis of friendship and opportunity in the center of a dangerous world...."
Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr.Born: 1938Filed from: California
NH Primaries -- Votes1980 -- (D) 10,7431992 -- (D) 13,660
Platform: Creating a new world order
In NH, he introduced using a toll-free 800 telephone number to solicit $100 contributions. His provocative political ideas and an unsurpassed flair for the dramatic led to nicknames like the "California Snowflake" and "Governor Moonbeam." "Politics is like paddling a canoe. Lean a little to the left, then a little to the right to move straight ahead. If you stand up on one side or the other, you fall into the water."
Arthur O. BlessittBorn: 1940Filed from: California
NH Primaries -- Votes1976 -- (D) 828
Platform: Christian Values
This evangelist street preacher was a precursor of the "Christian Right." He was not politically motivated, rather he promoted religion all over the world. He campaigned in NH by dragging a huge wooden cross on a large wheel wherever he traveled. "They [the people] can declare their desire to see a committed disciple of the Lord in the White House."
Colossus G. Benson Born: 1968Attempted to File from: New Hampshire
NH Primaries -- Votesnone -- (R) none
Platform: Eat more vegetables
The resident of the late, lamented Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, NH, wanted to be the Vegetarian Party nominee, but he didn't meet the age requirements for filing. The unsuccessful candidate was described as a "real swinger" who had developed a remarkable talent for reaching out to people. He was said to welcome head-to-head debate with any of the other candidates, but at 475 lbs. he had few takers. "Untranslatable."
George H.W. BushBorn: 1924Filed from: Texas
NH Primaries -- Votes1980 -- (R) 33,4331988 -- (R) 59,2901992 -- (R) 92,274
Platform: A "consensus" presidency
The nation's youngest naval pilot who was shot down over the Pacific in WWII was an asterisk when he first came to NH. He campaigned tediously long hours and came to recognize more NH voters by their names than any other presidential candidate in the history of the primary. "Read my lips - no new taxes."
Austin Burtonalias Chief Burning WoodBorn: 1917Filed from: New York for Vice President
NH Primaries -- Votes1968 -- (R) 10,9871972 -- (D) Write-in 11,2641976 -- (D) 11,095
Platform: "Vote for an honest buck"
He claimed to be a Delaware Indian and despite his advocacy of a return to the gold standard, he once mailed NH's Secretary of State a package of wampum - a four-foot length of snakeskin - as his filing fee for the primary. In 1968 he defeated four former Republican governors who were write-ins. "Give the country back to the Indians."
Patrick J. Buchanan Born: 1938Filed from: Virginia
NH Primaries -- Votes1992 -- (R) 65,1091996 -- (R) 56,874
Platform: "America First" in foreign policy with populist conservatism & economic protectionism at home
This conservative journalist with "bulldog tenacity" wanted to eliminate PACs and allow only individuals to contribute to political campaigns. He also supported a Constitutional ban on abortion, shutting down the National Endowment for the Arts, and pulling out of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization. "There is a religious war going on in our country for the soul of America. It is a cultural war."
Billie Joe Clegg Born: 1929Filed from: Mississippi
NH Primaries -- Votes1976 -- (D) 1741992 -- (D) 1101996 -- (R) 118
Platform: "God is my campaign manager"
This USAF veteran claimed he was ordained on the streets of Exeter, NH in 1976. He always carried a large - print Bible under his left arm when campaigning. A switch-hitter who never connected in either party, he accepted no donations and spend about $10,000 total of his own money in 20 years of running for President. "Clegg will not pull your leg."
Jimmy Carter Born: 1924Filed from: Georgia
NH Primaries -- Votes1976 -- (D) 23,3731980 -- (D) 52,692
Platform: Restore honesty in government
This Georgia Governor and peanut farmer, totally unknown in NH and sometimes unaccompanied by a staff, became known as "Jimmy Who?" His arduous campaigning led to victory here, without which he would never have secured the national attention leading him to the White House. "This state has a special place in the political life of this country, shaping the politics of America."
"Bill" ClintonBorn: 1946Filed from: Arkansas
NH Primaries -- Votes1992 -- (D) 41,5421996 -- (D) 77,797
Platform: New leadership for America
He's the only candidate in a NH primary who didn't win yet made it to the presidency. In 1992, neighbor Paul Tsongas (MA) beat him here, but Clinton's strong second place finish made him "The Comeback Kid." Unlike other presidents, he frequently returned to NH when in office. "I feel your pain. I will not take the Granite State for granted."
Michael DukakisBorn: 1933Filed from: Massachusetts
NH Primaries -- Votes1988 -- (D) 44,112
Platform: The "Massachusetts Miracle" Michael Dukakis Series I © 1998 N.H. State Library
This former Massachusetts Governor, who presented himself as a next-door neighbor, opposed NH's Seabrook nuclear plant. He campaigned on the strength of his state's economy, which was booming at the time."We went for the gold and we won it."