Union Leader Editorial

YESTERDAY, New Hampshire voters did what they do best. They made a considered decision based on months of observing, listening to and questioning the candidates for President of the United States.

New Hampshire has shown once again why it deserves the first-in-the-nation primary. Only in New Hampshire is a secret-ballot election preceded by such well-informed citizens having such unfettered access to the politicians who aspire to the White House.

And only in New Hampshire can those politicians directly sell themselves to such sophisticated voters without going through media filters.

Secretary of State Bill Gardner deserves the thanks of Granite Staters and all Americans for doing so masterful a job protecting New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status. This little election in this little state represents the final barrier to the complete takeover of presidential elections by big-money machine politics.

Other states don't appreciate that fact. They even resent New Hampshire for the clout we have in the presidential selection process. But the truth is, there is no better way than the New Hampshire way to select a President.

Gardner said that this primary has made him "very proud to be from New Hampshire." He deserves to be proud, and so do all of the people, from the candidates to the voters, who made this such a memorable election.

Thank you, New Hampshire voters, for taking your civic duty so seriously. And thank you to all of the campaign volunteers, selectmen, polling place observers, and local and state officials who worked so hard to put this election together.