Primary Cards - Series I

 
George McGovern
Born: 1923
Filed from: South Dakota
NH Primaries -- Votes
1968 -- (D) scattering
1972 -- (D) 33,007
1984 -- (D) 5,217
 
Platform: The Peace Candidate
George McGovern Series I © 1998 N.H. State Library

Because Maine Senator Ed Muskie failed to get his staff's publicly predicted 50% of the vote in NH's 1972 primary, this South Dakota Senator who finished a strong second went on to win the Democratic nomination. He ran against Richard Nixon, carrying only Massachusetts and Washington, DC. He was a social liberal who believed it was not patriotic to commit young Americans to war unless our national security is absolutely involved. "I say to my fellow Democrats; Do not run away from liberalism. It is our historic heritage and the ground of our being."
 
 
Paul M. McCloskey, Jr.
Born: 1927
Filed from: California
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1972 -- (R) 23,190
Platform: Peace in Vietnam

As well as his anti-Vietnam stance against the Nixon administration, Congressman "Pete" McCloskey advocated strong moral leadership in dealing with racial problems. He also wanted to restore excellence to the nation's judicial system.
"I'm not sure I want to be President. I just want to smash this guy [Nixon]."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Pat" Paulsen
Born: 1928
Filed from: California
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1972 -- (R) 1,211
1992 -- (R) 600
1996 -- (R) 1,007
 
Platform: "What do I know about politics - I'm a comedian."
 

He made his name and living as a comedian, but he took his stands seriously. He ran on what he called the STAG (Straight Talking American Government) ticket, advocating for decriminalization of marijuana, and against the Vietnam war and nuclear power. He explained his party switch in 1996 by saying, "I don't think the Republicans should have all the comedians in the race." "The country cannot stand Pat."
 
 
 
Richard M. Nixon
Born: 1913
Filed from: California
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1960 -- (R) 65,204
1964 -- (R) Write-in 15,587
1968 -- (R) 80,666
1972 -- (R) 79,239
 
Platform: Support for Eisenhower administration policies

In 1956 Eisenhower questioned retaining Nixon for re-election as Vice President. Nixon's NH friends engineered a draft write-in effort for him which resulted in 22,936 votes, thus assuring his position on the national ticket. "It was a reassuring comment [the write-in] coming from voters at a difficult time."
 
 
 
 
Robert A. Taft
Born: 1889
Filed from: Ohio
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1952 -- (R) 35,838
 
Platform: Isolationism & conservatism

Although known as "Mr. Republican," Senator Taft, who had led attacks against the New Deal, was reluctant to enter the NH primary against the popular war hero, General "Ike" Eisenhower. Hoping for an upset victory he took a hard-hitting 3-day tour of the state, but his stiff personality undid him. "I am somewhat disappointed."
 
 
 
 
 
 
Harold E. Stassen
Born: 1907
Filed from: Minnesota
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1948 -- (R) 17,227
1952 -- (R) 6,574
1964 -- (R) 1,373
1968 -- (R) 429
1984 -- (R) 1,543
1988 -- (R) 130
1992 -- (R) 205
 
Platform: Human rights and arms control
Harold E. Stassen Series I © 1998 N.H. State Library

Stassen is the honorary grandfather of the NH primary, having campaigned here seven times in half a century. He ran here first in 1948, before the present primary system began. He ran six more times to express his views or lest someone would otherwise run unopposed. He called New Hampshire "The Town Hall of America." "New Hampshire is a place where the forums are open so you have a chance to reach the people, and the people give consideration."
 
 
Nelson A. Rockefeller
Born: 1908
Filed from: New York
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1960 -- (R) Write-in 2,745
1964 -- (R) 19,504
1968 -- (R) Write-in 11,241
 
Platform: The value of Federalism

New York's Governor, a loyal Dartmouth College alumnus, returned to NH with a warm, unpretentious charisma. An inveterate campaigner, he was constantly harassed on the trail because of his divorce from his first wife and marriage to "Happy," a divorcee herself who had given up custody of her four children.
"Hi, fella. I'm Nelson Rockefeller."
 
 
 
 
Pat Robertson
Born: 1930
Filed from: Virginia
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1988 -- (R) 14,775
 
Platform: Conservative family & moral issues
Pat Robertson Series I © 1998 N.H. State Library

This TV evangelist founded "The 700 Club," which reached nearly 20 million households through the Christian Broadcast Network. He also founded "The Freedom Council" and the "Christian Coalition." He said God directed him to be a Baptist minister and gave him business advice. He advocated tax deductions for women who stay home to care for their children. He said he was stretching his hand to all Americans, and would not run a campaign for a well-organized minority. "There's no office any higher than being a pastor of a church standing beside the sacred desk, proclaiming the word of God week in week out."
 
 
Ronald Reagan
Born: 1911
Filed from: California
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1968 -- (R) Write-in 362
1976 -- (R) 53,569
1980 -- (R) 72,983
1984 -- (R) 65,033
 
Platform: Restore the American Dream

This former B movie star believed the government had overestimated, overspent and over regulated, thus failing to deliver services within the revenue it should be allowed to raise from taxes. As President, he survived an assassination attempt, promoted "supply side economics", and introduced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), known as "Star Wars." "I paid for this microphone, Mr. Green."
 
 
Charles Woods
Born: 1920
Filed from: Nevada
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1992 -- (D) 2,862
 
Platform: "The Businessman's Approach"
Charles Woods Series I © 1998 N.H. State Library

This self-made TV/radio tycoon had a distinguished WWII US Army Air Corps flying record that resulted in 60 plastic surgery operations. He advocated letting Congress set interest rates because he believed low rates essential to fueling the economy. "The US government is the biggest business in the world...I think we need a businessman to run it."
 
 
 
 
 
Paul E. Tsongas
Born: 1941
Filed from: Massachusetts
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1992 -- (D) 55,666
 
Platform: Reducing the deficit

This former Massachusetts Senator, considered a "native son" in NH, beat Bill Clinton here, thus ending the state's record of always picking the President in the primary. He published his views in an 80-page booklet available to all voters. After the campaign, he joined with NH's Senator Warren Rudman to form the non-partisan Concord Coalition, a group dedicated to ending the nation's budget deficit. "There are no easy solutions. It will be a long haul so we'd better get on with it."
 
 
 
 
"Morry" Taylor
Born: 1944
Filed from: Illinois
 
NH Primaries -- Votes
1996 -- (R) 2,944
 
Platform: Cut the bureaucracy
 
Nicknamed "The Griz," this successful businessman spent millions of his own money to run. He campaigned with his wife and dog in a caravan of motor homes. He proposed a simplified tax system and circulated a 10-question poll stating his position issues and asking voters to agree or disagree. Participants' names were put in a drawing for $25,000 prize money. "The New Hampshire newspapers don't know what to make of me."