Early returns from today's New Hampshire primary show former Vice President Richard Nixon and Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy leading their respective races by substantial margins. Weather predictions of a late snowfall later in the day may have contributed to a larger early turnout. Overcast skies greeted voters who began arriving early. The heaviest turnout appears to be in Manchester, the state's largest city with turnout varying from light to heavy elsewhere. The tiny ski town of Waterville Valley cast 23 votes just after midnight; President Johnson did not receive a single vote. Neither Johnson nor New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller are on the ballot, a circumstance that may contribute to the showing of each. In recent weeks, McCarthy has emerged from relative obscurity to the nation's leading "peace candidate" on the issue of Vietnam. It is the first time since 1952 that New Hampshire has competitive primary races in both parties simultaneously.
Massachusetts Governor John Volpe used primary day to again urge Rockefeller to formally enter the contest and give Republicans a clear choice. While signaling his satisfaction that Nixon is a better, more relaxed, and "newer" candidate than in 1960, Volpe made clear he was not endorsing Nixon and did not want the nomination to become Nixon's by default. Nixon engaged a little of what even he called "gamesmanship" by suggesting Rockefeller would win 30% of the vote or more despite no poll suggesting that likelihood. Former Governor Hugh Gregg, endorsing the Rockefeller write-in, downplayed expectations by declaring that 15,000 votes would be a significant achievement for someone not on the ballot or in active competition.
Nixon raised the stakes with a thrust at Rockefeller on primary day as well, challenging the New York Governor by saying, "I have chosen to submit my case to the people in the primary states," and urged Rockefeller to do the same. He also dismissed the possibility of Rockefeller only contesting the Oregon primary by declaring, "Oregon would not be representative of the country. That is the only state he has ever won outside of New York."
McCarthy has made the recent suggestion of an additional 200,000 American troops in Vietnam part of his focus, declaring today, "You certainly can't get out by putting in another 200,000 men."
SOURCES
"New Hampshire Votes Today With McCarthy's, Nixon's Prospects at Stake," by Walter Mears, AP, Lovington Daily Leader, March 12, 1968, 4.
"Minileads to Nixon, McCarthy," Santa Fe New Mexican, March 12, 1968, 1.
"Major Candidates and Party Leaders Set High Margins Expected By Rivals," Nashua Telegraph, March 12, 1968, 1.
"Volpe Sees 'Rocky' Stand Necessary," Ibid., 1.
"Fairly Heavy Vote Seen: Johnson Conduct of Vietnam Issue," by Raymond Lahr, New Castle News, March 12, 1968, 1.
"Waterville Valley Goes for McCarthy and Nixon," Portsmouth Herald, March 12, 1968, 1.
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