- Title: USA: Skiers in New Hampshire talk politics on the slopes
- Date: 9th January 2012
- Summary: HENNIKER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 8, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SKIING AT PAT'S PEAK (SOUNDBITE) (English) ROBERT BUTTRICK, SKIER, SAYING: "It should be an interesting race. I'm actually undecided. I don't know who I'm going to vote for right now. I think all the candidates in last night's debate, it went really well, here in the state. I think that it should be interesting. I think economy is big for me. I want to see who can get us the most jobs right now and get us out of this economic funk that we're in." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BEN WINTHER, SKIER, SAYING: "I know Mitt Romney seems to be doing really well and you know, he's close to home here so we sort of know him and like him and he seems sort of moderate. So I think that's sort of the way we're thinking right now, but I don't know that anything's really wrapped up." (SOUNDBITE) (English) LISA NEIKAM, SKIER, SAYING: "I think Mitt Romney." [REPORTER ASKING: "Why do you think he's so popular?"] "I think being from Massachusetts, being local, he's familiar. I think he seems the most presidential to me. I think he seems confident. I feel...I don't know." (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEIDI QUINN, SAYING: "Not Mitt Romney. I want a businessman there. That's what I want. Someone who can make the decisions and can help us with our deficit and that type of thing. I feel like we need a businessman in there."
- Embargoed: 24th January 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa, Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAB4SRO5T19EZV0F3089KGFQYKF
- Story Text: Skiers at Pat's Peak in southern New Hampshire enjoyed the slopes on Sunday (January 8), but many realized their attention would soon turn to casting their votes in the primary election on Tuesday (January 10).
"It should be an interesting race. I'm actually undecided. I don't know who I'm going to vote for right now. I think all the candidates in last night's debate, it went really well, here in the state. I think that is should be interesting. I think economy is big for me. I want to see who can get us the most jobs right now and get us out of this economic funk that we're in," said one skier, Robert Buttrick.
All eyes are on Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney, with some saying he will remain in the top spot.
"I know Mitt Romney seems to be doing really well and you know, he's close to home here so we sort of know him and like him and he seems sort of moderate so I think that's sort of the way we're thinking right now, but I don't know that anything's really wrapped up," said Ben Winther.
"I think Mitt Romney...I think being from Massachusetts, being local, he's familiar. I think he seems the most presidential to me. I think he seems confident. I feel...I don't know," said skier Lisa Neikam.
The race for second place Republican finisher could prove to be key as the primary cycle moves to South Carolina. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Libertarian congressman Ron Paul, former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman all vying for the spot.
Although Romney forged a slight victory over Santorum in the Iowa caucuses last Tuesday (January 3), a back-to back win in New Hampshire would be a feat never achieved by a Republican candidate who is not an incumbent, adding to a sense of inevitability about his candidacy.
Criticism of Romney has zeroed in on whether the former governor of a moderate New England state would be the strongest candidate to fly the conservative flag against President Barack Obama in the November election.
"Not Mitt Romney," said Heidi Quinn.
"I want a businessman there. That's what I want. Someone who can make the decisions and can help us with our deficit. And that type of thing. I feel like we need a businessman in there," she added.
The latest from Suffolk University/7 News poll shows front-runner Romney carrying 35 percent of the vote, Paul 20, undecided 15 percent and Huntsman placing fourth with 11 percent. Santorum and Gingrich were polling well under 10 percent. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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