The Hiller Instinct: Voting In The Granite State

New Hampshire was a battle ground state before the polls opened this morning...and, this evening, it still is. And we're already seeing some trends there that show just how divided the Granite State stands.

For example, when New Hampshire voters were asked which candidate quality mattered most in determining their vote, the number one answer was "bring about needed change" while "strong leader" was number two.

And, just as in Massachusetts, we found the two top issues in New Hampshire are Iraq and terrorism...followed by the moral values, economy and jobs, and health care.

But almost the same number of New Hampshire voters approve the U.S. decision to go to war with Iraq as disapprove. And while a majority believes the U.S. is safer from terrorism now than it was four years ago, a majority also disapproves of the way President Bush is handling his job. So Kerry and Bush can both find comfort in what voters are saying.

Finally, given all the reports of students registering for this race, early tracking trends are telling us 8% of all voters are voting for the first time, and that 15 percent of all voters are 18 to 29 years old.

So what you're looking at in New Hamspshire is a mixed bag for Kerry and Bush -- exactly what you'd expect. But before too long, one of them will have the state's four electoral votes in the bag.