Stories & Essays: Politickin'

At small-town diners and VFW halls, presidential hopefuls vie for their party's nomination -- and eventually their country's vote. Successful and lesser-known candidates campaign in the state of New Hampshire during the first-in-the-nation primary in 2004 and 2008. As election day grows closer, the entire country becomes a circus of politics where packed rallies are the norm and quiet moments are few.

Sen. John McCain waits to greet his next supporter while posing for photographs before speaking at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. McCain had his picture made with 87 different families and groups to help raise money for Republican state senators. April 2006
   
Senator Joe Lieberman stretches in a classroom at Temple Beth Jacob in Concord before a presidential forum. He also did push-ups and jumping-jacks as part of his pre-debate workout routine. January 2004
   
Sarah McClellan reacts as US Sen. Joe Biden leans in to make a point about health care while he was campaigning at Market Days in downtown Concord. August 2006
     
  
Presidential candidate John Edwards addresses voters at Dusty's Cafe in Claremont, NH. A few of the restaurant's usual patrons giggled on the other side of the diner while he spoke. December 2003
   
Yvonne Scales, of Platteville, points out Obama's picture on a RV to her son Ryan, 18 months, outside the Greeley, Colo., campaign office where local politicians spoke on Obama's behalf. October 2008
   
Chris Dodd supporters inflate thunder sticks before their candidate takes the stage at the New Hampshire Democratic Midterm Convention in Concord, NH. June 2007
     
  
Before a house party in Bedford, Presidential candidate Gov. Mike Huckabee talks with hosts Estella and Bob Hughes, their daughter, Pamela Patenaude, and granddaughter Caitlin Patenaude. Novemeber 2007
   
Presidential candidate Barack Obama paces in a hallway, just weeks before the New Hampshire primary, while waiting to address the crowd at the Rochester American Legion Post No. 4. December 2007
   
People listen from the balcony as Sen. John McCain addresses a crowd at the Cable Center at the University of Denver. May 2008
     
  
Barack Obama and vice presidential nominee Joe Biden and their families celebrate in a shower of confetti after Obama accepts the accepts the Democratic nomination in Denver, Colo. August 2008
   
Protestors dressed as the nine democratic candidates riding ostriches including Al Sharpton, Joe Lieberman, Howard Dean and Richard Gephardt herd themselves together outside the nationally televised presidential debate at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. The demonstration was formed by For Our Grandchildren, a social security reform group trying to send a message to the candidates to "get your heads out of the sand." December 2003
   
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, and his wife Judith, weave through the news media outside the Palace Theater in Manchester, NH after giving the keynote speech at the state's GOP annual meeting. January 2007
     
  
Photographers and supporters scale a snow bank to get a view of Sen. John McCain while he answers questions from the press following an event in Salem, NH. January 2008
   
Campaign staffers whisper to each other while Senator Chris Dodd works the crowd after speaking to voters during a brunch at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana in Concord. June 2007
   
John Edwards hands a cell phone back to a campaign aide as another one waits with the door open before an interview at WMUR Studios in Manchester, NH. December 2003
     
  
Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean appears on a monitor during the first day of the DNC in Denver, Colo. August 2008
   
People climb trees in Civic Center Park in Denver, Colo,. to see get a glimpse of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama just days before the general election.October 2008
  
Obama autographs a row of books laid out by campaign staffers for supporters after an event at the Rochester American Legion Post No. 4. December 2007
     
  
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin listens for her cue to take the stage during Freedom Fest at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Va. Palin and the Tea Party movement were dominant factors in the mid-term election. Many people are speculating on Palin's possible presidential run in 2012. June 2010