2000 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary explained

Election Name:2000 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary
Country:Iowa
Flag Image:File:Flag of New Hampshire.svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1996 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary
Previous Year:1996
Next Election:2004 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary
Next Year:2004
Votes For Election:17 pledged Republican National Convention delegates
Outgoing Members:IA
Elected Members:HI
Nominee1:John McCain
Colour1:
  1. ffff00
Home State1:Arizona
Delegate Count1:10
Popular Vote1:115,606
Percentage1:48.53%
Nominee2:George W. Bush
Colour2:FF3333
Home State2:Texas
Delegate Count2:5
Popular Vote2:72,330
Percentage2:30.36%
Nominee4:Steve Forbes
Colour4:305c88
Home State4:New York
Delegate Count4:2
Popular Vote4:30,166
Percentage4:12.66%
Nominee5:Alan Keyes
Colour5:812939
Home State5:Maryland
Delegate Count5:0
Popular Vote5:15,179
Percentage5:6.37%
Map Size:250px
Color1:ffff00
Color2:FF3333

The 2000 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary took place on the first of February, 2000. New Hampshire traditionally served as the second state in a presidential primary cycle, after Iowa.

Senator John McCain of Arizona, who had diverted resources from Iowa to focus on securing victory in New Hampshire, won a surprising victory, defeating the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, Governor George W. Bush of Texas.[1] [2] However, Bush would eventually secure the nomination, going on to be elected president in the general election.

Results

Primary results[3]
CandidateVotesPercentageDelegates
John McCain 115,606 48.53% 10
72,330 30.36% 5
30,166 12.66% 2
15,179 6.37% 0
566 0.69% 0
Total 237,640 100% 17
At his hotel in Nashua, McCain reacted to the victory by calling it "a win for the message."

Analysis

McCain's victory was the largest in the New Hampshire primary since Ronald Reagan in 1980 and the second political defeat for George W. Bush. Bush's defeat was one of the worst for a national front-runner in the history of the New Hampshire primary.

McCain won with independents, as expected, with more than sixty percent of their vote, according to surveys conducted by the Voter News Service. Independents accounted for forty percent of the electorate. He surprised observers by winning wide support from faithful Republican Party members, whom the Bush campaign considered reliable voters. The Republican vote was split evenly between Bush and McCain. Moderate voters split more heavily for McCain than conservatives did for Bush.

Bush attributed his upset defeat to McCain's decision to pull resources from the Iowa caucuses early and place relative emphasis on the state. Bush spent thirty-six days campaigning in New Hampshire, while McCain spent more than sixty-five, conducting 114 town meetings with voters. Within the Bush campaign, staff suggested the same, and further suggested that Governor Bush's decision to campaign with his father in the state had reinforced the impression that he was too reliant on the latter's popularity. Dan Balz of The Washington Post suggested that Bush's decision to skip two in-state debates hurt his popularity with local voters.

Aftermath

As a result of McCain's large victory, the Bush campaign placed increased emphasis on the February 19 South Carolina primary, a campaign marked by negative tactics and Bush's emphasis on his evangelical Christian faith.

Following his poor showing in the primary on the heels of a fourth place finish in Iowa, Gary Bauer withdrew from the race and endorsed John McCain.

Notes and References

  1. News: Richard L.. Berke. McCain Romps in First Primary; Gore Wins, Edging out Bradley. The New York Times. February 2, 2000. October 28, 2023.
  2. News: Dan. Balz. McCain Stuns Bush in N.H. Primary. The Washington Post. February 2, 2000. October 28, 2023.
  3. Web site: 2000 Presidential Republican Primary Election Results - New Hampshire . 2023-06-19 . uselectionatlas . U.S Election Atlas.