Voters still value face time with candidates

People huddled in a snow-covered parking lot as Hillary Clinton’s voice boomed over a loudspeaker. But the former secretary of state was no where to be seen.

The event being held inside was filled to capacity and many, like Christine Nase, had been left standing in the cold. This was the first primary event that Nase, a resident of Weare, New Hampshire, had attended.

An undecided voter, Nase said that even though she was leaning toward supporting Bernie Sanders, she was hoping to catch a glimpse of Clinton. For Nase, seeing how Clinton interacted with the crowd might have swayed her opinion about the Democratic presidential candidate.

“If I had seen her face-to-face, that might make me feel better about voting for her,” Nase said.

In a world of cell phones, social media and instant communication, seeing candidates beyond the screen still remains an important aspect of a voter’s decision-making process. The New Hampshire primary remains unique in the way everyday people have the chance to interact with presidential hopefuls.

Candidates drop by diners, coffee shops and stay in local hotels, getting a taste of New England life. James Brett, president of the New England Council, said the New Hampshire method offers voters a chance to get to know candidates in a personal way that doesn’t happen in the rest of the country.

“After Tuesday, [the candidates] are going to be all over the country,” Brett said. “People are going to say ‘I never really met them. I see them on TV.’ ”

A little face time goes a long way with New Hampshire voters. As social media becomes integral to news dissemination, a candidate’s online persona can become the face voters recognize. But residents have respect for the candidates who break away from social media to come out and meet the locals.

“You can’t mail it in,” Brett said.

For candidates, face time with voters means giving them a sense of who they are without the media as a filter.

Dr. Ben Carson dropped by the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester on Saturday to mingle with diners and answer questions. Carson said that it was important to get out and meet voters in person.

“The more people you contact the better,” Carson said. “Because you always want to make sure people get a chance to see you and hear you personally, as opposed to how you are interpreted by the media.”

Locals aren’t the only ones enjoying the personal touch of the New Hampshire primary.

Candy Perri was enjoying a cheeseburger at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester as Ohio Gov. John Kasich made his way through the crowded restaurant. Perri has been coming to New Hampshire for the primary for 20 years, traveling from Denver, North Carolina, to be more informed.

“This is one of the best opportunities to meet the candidates and get to see them on and off camera,” Perri said.