ABSTRACT
The unique contribution of the New Hampshire primary to twentieth-century election politics combines the state's unusual social and political character with a prominent media profile and high degree of accuracy in forecasting outcomes of presidential races. The nomination and delegate selection reforms undertaken by the Democratic party and, in most instances, imposed on the Republicans during the 1960s and 1970s had been intended to improve the quality of leadership and representation in American national politics. This impulse to deliver the power of candidate selection from party officialdom into the hands of the primary electorate was successful but carried a number of unforeseen and unintended consequences, all of which complicated the nomination environment. Since the enactment of the 1971 Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and its 1974 amendments, campaign finance reform has reinforced the imperative for candidates to begin early preparations and perform well in early contests.
