In a striking display of defiance, New Hampshire Democrats are preparing to mount a significant write-in campaign for President Joe Biden, despite his name being conspicuously absent from their primary ballot. This political manoeuvre comes as direct consequence of the Democratic National Committee's controversial decision to reshuffle its traditional primary calendar.
The Calendar Controversy
The DNC's bold move to demote New Hampshire from its coveted first-in-the-nation primary position has ignited a political firestorm. Rather than comply with the new schedule that elevates South Carolina, New Hampshire legislators have chosen to proceed with their January primary anyway, setting the stage for an unprecedented electoral showdown.
Biden's Strategic Absence
President Biden, honouring the DNC's revised calendar, has deliberately skipped filing for the New Hampshire ballot. However, local Democratic leaders aren't conceding defeat. They're orchestrating an ambitious write-in campaign to ensure the president emerges victorious in what many consider a symbolic protest vote.
Recent polling from the Saint Anselm College Survey Center reveals fascinating insights into this unusual political scenario. While Biden dominates the write-in preferences, other Democratic figures are capturing voter attention in his absence.
Unexpected Contenders Emerge
The survey reveals California Governor Gavin Newsom as an unexpected beneficiary of this unusual primary situation. Though not a declared candidate, Newsom has garnered noticeable support, suggesting his growing national profile among Democratic voters.
Other notable figures including Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson have officially entered the race, though they trail significantly in voter preferences.
What This Means for 2024
This New Hampshire primary drama represents more than just procedural wrangling—it signals potential turbulence within Democratic ranks. The write-in campaign, while likely to succeed, exposes underlying tensions between party leadership and state traditions that could reverberate throughout the election cycle.
As New Hampshire Democrats prepare to make their voices heard, the nation watches to see how this rebellion against party authority might influence the broader political landscape leading into the 2024 presidential election.
