Picking Presidents: The New Hampshire Primary

Unfortunately, the caucus craze has come and gone. Reporters, analysts, and the candidates left our great state for the next battleground: New Hampshire. While some politicos argue that Iowa picks corn and New Hampshire picks presidents, tonight’s primary is turning out to be just as unpredictable as last week’s caucuses.

Statistician Nate Silver warned today that Republican predictions might not be as decisive as pollsters claim. While numbers don’t technically lie, this election’s multicandidate race provides more room for error, particularly when last minute tactical voting is an option. As it stands, Donald Trump continues his lead in the state, holding on to 31 percent of primary voters’ support.

Democrats’ numbers prove a bit more reliable since the primary vote will be split between just two candidates: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Sanders has a formidable 26 point lead over Clinton, but that hasn’t stopped her campaign from making a strong showing in New Hampshire this week. Any mitigation of the point gap could be viewed as a small, but noteworthy, victory for her campaign, especially in light of recent controversial remarks made by her supporters.

Tune in for the results after the polls close and cure your post-caucus blues by making your own primary predictions. Although voters won’t be participating in coin tosses or moving to corners of a school cafeteria, the New Hampshire primary may still offer up some surprises.