2004 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary explained

Election Name:2004 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary
Country:New Hampshire
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2000 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary
Previous Year:2000
Next Election:2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary
Next Year:2008
Candidate1:John Kerry
Color1:00539f
Home State1:Massachusetts
Delegate Count1:13
Popular Vote1:84,377
Percentage1:38.4%
Candidate2:Howard Dean
Color2:e7cf1e
Home State2:Vermont
Delegate Count2:9
Popular Vote2:57,761
Percentage2:26.3%
Candidate3:Wesley Clark
Color3:039042
Home State3:Arkansas
Delegate Count3:0
Popular Vote3:27,314
Percentage3:12.4%
Candidate4:John Edwards
Color4:e50100
Home State4:North Carolina
Delegate Count4:0
Popular Vote4:26,487
Percentage4:12.0%
Candidate5:Joe Lieberman
Color5:8E2791
Home State5:Connecticut
Delegate Count5:0
Popular Vote5:18,911
Percentage5:8.6%
Outgoing Members:IA
Elected Members:AZ
Votes For Election:27 Democratic National Convention delegates (22 pledged, 5 unpledged)
The number of pledged delegates received is determined by the popular vote
Map: style="text-align:left; margin:auto; width:400px;"

The 2004 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary was held on January 27, 2004. Taking place eight days after the Iowa caucuses, it marked the second contest to take place during the Democratic party's 2004 primary season, as well as the first actual primary to take place.

Polling

Primary polling taken by American Research Group during the last few days of campaigning (January 23 to January 27, 2004) showed that former New Hampshire poll leader as well as national leader Howard Dean was steadily gaining ground to catch up to now front-runner John Kerry.

CandidateJanuary 23 to 25 poll tracking January 24 to 26 poll tracking
John Kerry38%35%
Howard Dean20%25%
John Edwards16%15%
Wesley Clark15%13%
Joe Lieberman 5%6%
Gathered from ARG's 2004 NH Democratic Tracking Poll[1]

Margin of Error +/- 4

Tracking polling showed that Dean had been catching up to Kerry in the days before the primary, cutting Kerry's 18 point lead to 10 points in a matter of days. With Dean dropping and Kerry rising, it became apparent that the battle for 1st place in New Hampshire would be close. Also, for third place, Wesley Clark, John Edwards and Joe Lieberman were the only ones fighting for third. With Clark and Edwards both taking hits going into the primary, and Lieberman on the rise, the fight for 1st place and third place, according to polls would be intense.

Results

As results began to come in during Primary night, it became apparent Kerry had won the primary and was promptly projected the winner by several media outlets. Dean finished in second place. Clark and Edwards were in a dead-lock for third place, with both candidates at 12% during the night. Earlier returns showed Lieberman in a stronger position to tie with Clark and Edwards, allowing him to declare to his supporters that it was "a three-way split decision for third place."[2]

As final results were being tallied, Kerry won the primary with 84,277 votes and 38%, Dean finished second, with 57,761 and 26%, and Clark narrowly defeated Edwards for third place, with 27,314 votes and 12%.[3] Lieberman had fallen back in the count and didn't even reach 10%.

CandidateVotesPercentagePotential
national
delegates
John Kerry84,377 38.3513
Howard Dean57,76126.259
Wesley Clark27,31412.410
John Edwards26,487 12.040
Joe Lieberman18,911 8.590
Dennis Kucinich3,114 1.420

Exit Polling

CategoryAllClarkDeanEdwardsKerryLieberman
Male 46%13% 25% 14% 36%10%
Female 54%12% 26% 11% 41%8%
18-64 Years89%12% 25% 13% 39%8%
65+ Years11%10% 28% 10% 38%13%
Democrat48%11% 29% 12% 41% 5%
Republican4%10% 8% 9% 29% 26%
Independent 48%13% 23% 13% 37% 12%

Source: CNN.com 2004 Primaries[4]

Kerry won huge margins of support amongst almost all constituencies, with his only weak point amongst Republicans, who made up 4% of the voting block and was Lieberman's strongest point. Dean repeatedly came distant second or third for almost all categories of voters. Edwards defeated Clark amongst male voters as well as voters under 65, but only by a very tiny margin. Lieberman finished in a distant third in almost all categories except for Republicans, in which he nearly defeated John Kerry.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2004 NH Democratic Tracking.
  2. "Lieberman vows to keep running." CNN. 2004-01-28. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  3. News: 2004 Primaries . CNN.
  4. News: 2004 Primaries . CNN.