Admittedly, it's too early in the presidential campaign to read much into the results of the New Hampshire primary, but Americans should feel refreshed to know that voters were bully enough not to concede the nominations to the front-runners, George W. Bush and Al Gore.
If New Hampshire is any indication, the road to the national conventions will be lively, interesting and, overall, good for the republic.Debate and dissention are healthy for party politics. New Hampshire voters sent a clear message that neither Gore nor Bush should view themselves as shoo-ins, regardless of their campaign finances and lineage.
Sen. John McCain's 18-point victory over Bush broke open the contest for the Republican nomination. Not only did McCain triumph among GOP voters, he attracted a sizable number of independent votes and some Democrats who switched party registration to vote for him.
McCain brings a lot to the party. He's a straight-talking military hero who, as a member of Congress, has fought the Washington establishment. But he also has baggage, most notably his involvement with notorious swindler Charles Keating. A Senate Ethics committee deemed McCain's and four other senator's involvement "bad judgment." Yet McCain saved face with Arizona voters, who have kept him in office.
But it would be foolhardy to count Bush out. He has a gargantuan war chest, a well-organized campaign and family connections. Regardless of the outcome in New Hampshire, Bush scored a slam-dunk in Iowa. Before Americans read too much into these latest results, they should remember that the Granite State gave Pat Buchanan the nod in the 1996 GOP presidential primary.
On the other side of the ledger, Gore has met his match in Bradley, who plays the pit bull to Gore's Alpha male. Although Gore has the organizational edge and more name recognition, he must worked doggedly to distance himself from President Clinton.
Meanwhile, Bradley's campaign has taken a fresh approach. The former U.S. senator and professional basketball player has expressed disdain for mudslinging, which is an approach most Americans can embrace.
The campaign now moves to South Carolina, where Bush's message and laid-back style will likely play well with Southern voters, who will go to the poll Feb. 19.
Yes, November seems far off. But, for a few days, at least, Americans can relish a presidential campaign that opened voters minds to the notion that substance can win over money and organization.