usatoday--2020-02-10--Sanders leads polls ahead of New Hampshire primary, while Buttigieg climbs and Biden nosedives

Sen. Bernie Sanders continues to lead in polling ahead of New Hampshire 's primary Tuesday while former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg has surged into second place .
The polls show Buttigieg has growing support from New Hampshire voters while former Vice President Joe Biden has tumbled in recent Granite State polls .
The results from Iowa 's caucuses last week are still not official after delays and inconsistencies with the vote count , but Buttigieg 's strong finish there appears to have given his campaign a bounce heading into New Hampshire .
Buttigieg and Sanders have both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is undergoing a precinct review that state Democrats said will be completed Monday .
A look at the polls A poll from CNN and the University of New Hampshire Survey Center released Sunday found that 28 % of likely primary voters favor Sanders , while 21 % plan to vote for Buttigieg and 12 % plan to vote for Biden .
Nine percent said they would back Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , 6 % said they plan to vote for Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , 5 % were for Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed entrepreneur Andrew Yang and 2 % were for billionaire Tom Steyer .
The other candidates came in at 1 % or less .
A CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday found the race even tighter , with Sanders the choice of 29 % of likely voters in New Hampshire 's Democratic primary and Buttigieg favored by 25 % .
That poll found Warren ( 19 % ) in third ahead of Biden ( 12 % ) and Klobuchar ( 10 % ) .
The CBS News and CNN polls were conducted from Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points , while the CNN poll 's margin of error was plus or minus 5 percentage points .
A pair of tracking polls conducted since Friday night 's Democratic debate found Klobuchar was the only candidate to get a noticeable boost from her debate performance .
Emerson College 's tracking poll with News 7 found Sanders leading at 30 % on Sunday , followed by Buttigieg ( 20 % ) , Klobuchar ( 13 % ) , Warren ( 12 % ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented a four-point jump for Klobuchar and a four-point drop for Buttigieg from the previous poll , which was conducted before the debate .
A WBZ/Boston Globe/Suffolk University tracking poll – two-thirds of which was conducted during and after the debate – found a three-point boost for Klobuchar to 9 % from 6 % in the previous day 's poll .
But she still trailed Sanders ( 24 % ) followed by Buttigieg at 22 % ( down from 25 % the day before ) , Warren ( 13 % ) and Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the attack With his boost in the polls , Buttigieg has come under fire from both Sanders and Biden .
The 2020 candidates : Who is running for president ?
An interactive guide Biden 's campaign released an ad on Saturday that paints Buttigieg as an inexperienced smalltown mayor who is unqualified for the White House .
`` It 's a typical political attack , '' Buttigieg said on CNN 's `` State of the Union '' Sunday .
`` And it 's too bad , because so many communities , communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that we might look small from the perspective of Washington , but , to us , it 's what 's going on in Washington that looks so small and small-minded . ''
Biden said on ABC News ' `` This Week '' that he was defending himself from Buttigieg who he said unfairly blamed the Obama administration for many of the country 's current problems .
'Stakes are incredibly high ' : New Hampshire voters feel the pressure as primary looms '' Let 's get something straight here , '' Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pete 's been attacking me . ''
`` I do n't understand , when they talk about the past , why Barack was such a lousy president .
I thought he was a pretty damn good president , '' Biden said .
`` But that 's the implication . ''
On CNN , Buttigieg explained that his argument was not meant as a criticism of the Obama administration but a call for a new approach .
`` This is n't 2008 .
It 's 2020 .
And we are in a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of leadership , '' he said .
Sanders has gone after Buttigieg for accepting campaign contributions from wealthy and corporate donors .
`` If you do , as Mayor Buttigieg does , take huge amounts of contributions from the CEOs of the pharmaceutical industry , from financiers in the fossil fuel industry , from the insurance companies , from Wall Street , does anyone seriously believe that you 're going to stand up to those powerful entities and represent working people ? ''
Sanders asked `` Fox News Sunday '' host Chris Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I would happily accept a contribution from him , '' Buttigieg said on CNN .
`` This is the fight of our lives .
I 'm not a fan of the current campaign finance system , but I 'm also insistent that we have got to go into this with all of the support we can get . ''
What we know : A New Hampshire primary win is key for multiple Democrats In an apparent dig at Sanders , Buttigieg said he was `` concerned about a message that says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you must be for the status quo , ' because I think that leaves most people out . ''
2020 candidates on the issues : A voter 's guide to where they stand on health care , gun control and more

Sanders leads polls ahead of New Hampshire primary, while Buttigieg climbs and Biden nosedives
Show Caption Hide Caption Democratic debate post-Iowa had candidates trading blows in New Hampshire The debate between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary had some Democratic candidates landing blows, and some making strides. USA TODAY
Sen. Bernie Sanders continues to lead in polling ahead of New Hampshire's primary Tuesday while former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg has surged into second place.
The polls show Buttigieg has growing support from New Hampshire voters while former Vice President Joe Biden has tumbled in recent Granite State polls.
The results from Iowa's caucuses last week are still not official after delays and inconsistencies with the vote count, but Buttigieg's strong finish there appears to have given his campaign a bounce heading into New Hampshire. Buttigieg and Sanders have both declared victory in that unsettled contest, which is undergoing a precinct review that state Democrats said will be completed Monday.
A look at the polls
A poll from CNN and the University of New Hampshire Survey Center released Sunday found that 28% of likely primary voters favor Sanders, while 21% plan to vote for Buttigieg and 12% plan to vote for Biden. Nine percent said they would back Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, 6% said they plan to vote for Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, 5% were for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, 4% backed entrepreneur Andrew Yang and 2% were for billionaire Tom Steyer. The other candidates came in at 1% or less.
A CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday found the race even tighter, with Sanders the choice of 29% of likely voters in New Hampshire's Democratic primary and Buttigieg favored by 25%. That poll found Warren (19%) in third ahead of Biden (12%) and Klobuchar (10%).
The CBS News and CNN polls were conducted from Feb. 5-8. The CBS News poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points, while the CNN poll's margin of error was plus or minus 5 percentage points.
A pair of tracking polls conducted since Friday night's Democratic debate found Klobuchar was the only candidate to get a noticeable boost from her debate performance.
Emerson College's tracking poll with News 7 found Sanders leading at 30% on Sunday, followed by Buttigieg (20%), Klobuchar (13%), Warren (12%) and Biden (11%). That represented a four-point jump for Klobuchar and a four-point drop for Buttigieg from the previous poll, which was conducted before the debate.
A WBZ/Boston Globe/Suffolk University tracking poll – two-thirds of which was conducted during and after the debate – found a three-point boost for Klobuchar to 9% from 6% in the previous day's poll. But she still trailed Sanders (24%) followed by Buttigieg at 22% (down from 25% the day before), Warren (13%) and Biden (10%).
How polls work: The science behind gathering voter opinions The news cycle is jampacked with polls. But have you ever wondered how polls actually work and what they mean? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Candidates go on the attack
With his boost in the polls, Buttigieg has come under fire from both Sanders and Biden.
The 2020 candidates: Who is running for president? An interactive guide
Biden's campaign released an ad on Saturday that paints Buttigieg as an inexperienced smalltown mayor who is unqualified for the White House.
"It's a typical political attack," Buttigieg said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday. "And it's too bad, because so many communities, communities like mine in South Bend, we know that we might look small from the perspective of Washington, but, to us, it's what's going on in Washington that looks so small and small-minded."
Biden said on ABC News' "This Week" that he was defending himself from Buttigieg who he said unfairly blamed the Obama administration for many of the country's current problems.
'Stakes are incredibly high': New Hampshire voters feel the pressure as primary looms
"Let's get something straight here," Biden said. "I didn't attack Pete. Pete's been attacking me."
"I don't understand, when they talk about the past, why Barack was such a lousy president. I thought he was a pretty damn good president," Biden said. "But that's the implication."
On CNN, Buttigieg explained that his argument was not meant as a criticism of the Obama administration but a call for a new approach.
"This isn't 2008. It's 2020. And we are in a new moment, calling for a different kind of leadership," he said.
Sanders has gone after Buttigieg for accepting campaign contributions from wealthy and corporate donors.
"If you do, as Mayor Buttigieg does, take huge amounts of contributions from the CEOs of the pharmaceutical industry, from financiers in the fossil fuel industry, from the insurance companies, from Wall Street, does anyone seriously believe that you're going to stand up to those powerful entities and represent working people?" Sanders asked "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace.
"Bernie's pretty rich, and I would happily accept a contribution from him," Buttigieg said on CNN. "This is the fight of our lives. I'm not a fan of the current campaign finance system, but I'm also insistent that we have got to go into this with all of the support we can get."
What we know: A New Hampshire primary win is key for multiple Democrats
In an apparent dig at Sanders, Buttigieg said he was "concerned about a message that says, 'if you're not for revolution, you must be for the status quo,' because I think that leaves most people out."
2020 candidates on the issues: A voter's guide to where they stand on health care, gun control and more


usatoday--2020-02-10--GOP pushes pay raises for teachers, state workers in Florida: Genuine or election year politics?

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. – In what some see as classic election year politics , Florida ’ s ruling Republicans are wrestling with an almost billion-dollar issue – pay raises for two of the state Democratic Party ’ s biggest allies , teachers and state workers .
Democrats and union officials said the GOP ’ s motives may be to deflect campaign criticism this fall , or even to sow dissent among labor groups jostling over the size of a rare pay hike .
But many welcome being central to state budget talks as the Legislature nears its midpoint .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a page from our playbook – that we can ’ t say they haven ’ t done enough for teachers or state workers , ” said Rep. Evan Jenne , D-Dania Beach .
“ But I ’ m happy they are finally seeing value in our hardworking public workers.
” Two boys with the same disability tried to get help : The rich student got it quickly .
The poor student did not .
House budget chair Travis Cummings , R-Fleming Island , dismissed any notion of political shadings to the pay raises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any dueling or competing interests ... with ( unions ) saying one ’ s getting more or less , ” Cummings said .
“ I ’ ve been hearing mostly pleasant feedback .
Now some may want a little more or have it distributed a little differently.
” 'Should n't have to marry a sugar daddy ' : Teachers , outraged over pay , rally in Florida capital Debate at the Capitol over public employee pay raises is a political unicorn in the more than two decades since Republicans took command of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida .
Most state workers got pay increases in only two of the past 12 years and lost 3 % of their salaries to pension contributions required by Republican lawmakers in 2011 .
A teacher pay raise was last center stage in 2013 , when then-Gov .
Rick Scott sought to reset his profile as an education budget cutter by getting the Legislature to endorse spending $ 480 million for teacher salary boosts before his reelection bid .
Unions are dependable allies for Florida Democrats , regularly serving up campaign cash and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national scale , labor organizations will play a pivotal role in the presidential campaign , where Florida looms as the nation ’ s biggest toss-up state .
“ These kinds of things seem to arrive in an election year , ” said Sen. Gary Farmer , D-Lighthouse Point .
“ Stuff we ’ ve been clamoring for , like pay raises for state workers and teachers is ignored until ( Republicans ) think it might soften the opposition .
But I don ’ t think it ’ s going to work.
” Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that a robust pay raise will cool union opposition to President Donald Trump or other GOP candidates .
“ We could give every teacher in Florida a million dollars , and the ( teachers union ) would still come back at us and say we ’ re terrible and not doing enough , ” said Rep. James Grant , R-Tampa .
Gen Z : Activists are too young to vote in 2020 election , but climate change has them fed up Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a Trump protégé , started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his budget $ 602 million for raises and a $ 300 million bonus program for teachers and principals .
DeSantis focused chiefly on teacher pay for those earning the least – wanting to bring base salaries to $ 47,500 , second-highest in the nation .
A shortage of teachers plagues many counties , and the governor sees notable starting pay as a way to lure more people to the profession .
DeSantis ’ idea was quickly ridiculed by the Florida Education Association , the state ’ s biggest teachers union , which said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big part of the FEA ’ s membership .
Legislators are working to spread the money around more in their pay plans .
The Senate would set aside $ 500 million for teachers and the House $ 650 million .
Though neither has a bonus program , the Senate wants $ 100 million to go to veteran teachers and the House $ 150 million for those with experience .
The House and Senate plan pay raises for state workers – something the governor largely sidestepped in his budget proposal .
The Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the House calls for a $ 1,800 increase for workers earning $ 50,000 or less , which is a big share of the state workforce .
The pay packages on the table for teachers and state workers are a significant amount of cash – at least $ 750 million in overall state budgets almost certain to top $ 92 billion .
Union officials said they don ’ t think House and Senate budget writers will pit teachers against state workers as they work toward an overall deal on pay raises .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups of employees in the budget , ” said Jacqui Carmona , lobbyist for the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees ( AFSCME ) Florida , which represents state workers .
The unions are looking to avoid taking sides between the House and Senate approaches .
“ You can absolutely take some of the core pieces of each and make this thing work really well , ” said Kevin Watson , who lobbies for the FEA .
Diamond Princess : Coronavirus cases on cruise ship rise to 69 , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign ad takes swing at Pete Buttigieg before New Hampshire primary

GOP pushes pay raises for teachers, state workers in Florida: Genuine or election year politics?
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In what some see as classic election year politics, Florida’s ruling Republicans are wrestling with an almost billion-dollar issue – pay raises for two of the state Democratic Party’s biggest allies, teachers and state workers.
Democrats and union officials said the GOP’s motives may be to deflect campaign criticism this fall, or even to sow dissent among labor groups jostling over the size of a rare pay hike.
But many welcome being central to state budget talks as the Legislature nears its midpoint.
“Republican leaders think this will take away a page from our playbook – that we can’t say they haven’t done enough for teachers or state workers,” said Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach. “But I’m happy they are finally seeing value in our hardworking public workers.”
Two boys with the same disability tried to get help: The rich student got it quickly. The poor student did not.
House budget chair Travis Cummings, R-Fleming Island, dismissed any notion of political shadings to the pay raises.
“I haven’t heard of any dueling or competing interests ... with (unions) saying one’s getting more or less,” Cummings said. “I’ve been hearing mostly pleasant feedback. Now some may want a little more or have it distributed a little differently.”
'Shouldn't have to marry a sugar daddy': Teachers, outraged over pay, rally in Florida capital
Debate at the Capitol over public employee pay raises is a political unicorn in the more than two decades since Republicans took command of the Legislature and governor’s office in Florida.
Most state workers got pay increases in only two of the past 12 years and lost 3% of their salaries to pension contributions required by Republican lawmakers in 2011.
A teacher pay raise was last center stage in 2013, when then-Gov. Rick Scott sought to reset his profile as an education budget cutter by getting the Legislature to endorse spending $480 million for teacher salary boosts before his reelection bid.
Unions are dependable allies for Florida Democrats, regularly serving up campaign cash and get-out-the-vote support for candidates. On a national scale, labor organizations will play a pivotal role in the presidential campaign, where Florida looms as the nation’s biggest toss-up state.
“These kinds of things seem to arrive in an election year,” said Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point. “Stuff we’ve been clamoring for, like pay raises for state workers and teachers is ignored until (Republicans) think it might soften the opposition. But I don’t think it’s going to work.”
Some Republicans said it’s useless to think that a robust pay raise will cool union opposition to President Donald Trump or other GOP candidates.
“We could give every teacher in Florida a million dollars, and the (teachers union) would still come back at us and say we’re terrible and not doing enough,” said Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa.
Gen Z: Activists are too young to vote in 2020 election, but climate change has them fed up
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Trump protégé, started the teacher pay discussion, proposing in his budget $602 million for raises and a $300 million bonus program for teachers and principals.
DeSantis focused chiefly on teacher pay for those earning the least – wanting to bring base salaries to $47,500, second-highest in the nation. A shortage of teachers plagues many counties, and the governor sees notable starting pay as a way to lure more people to the profession.
DeSantis’ idea was quickly ridiculed by the Florida Education Association, the state’s biggest teachers union, which said it did nothing for veteran educators, a big part of the FEA’s membership.
Legislators are working to spread the money around more in their pay plans.
The Senate would set aside $500 million for teachers and the House $650 million. Though neither has a bonus program, the Senate wants $100 million to go to veteran teachers and the House $150 million for those with experience.
Impeachment trial: Senators’ handwritten notes offer a new view of President Trump's impeachment trial
The House and Senate plan pay raises for state workers – something the governor largely sidestepped in his budget proposal.
The Senate wants a 3% across-the-board raise, while the House calls for a $1,800 increase for workers earning $50,000 or less, which is a big share of the state workforce.
The pay packages on the table for teachers and state workers are a significant amount of cash – at least $750 million in overall state budgets almost certain to top $92 billion.
Union officials said they don’t think House and Senate budget writers will pit teachers against state workers as they work toward an overall deal on pay raises.
“We think there is space for both groups of employees in the budget,” said Jacqui Carmona, lobbyist for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Florida, which represents state workers.
The unions are looking to avoid taking sides between the House and Senate approaches.
“You can absolutely take some of the core pieces of each and make this thing work really well,” said Kevin Watson, who lobbies for the FEA.
Diamond Princess: Coronavirus cases on cruise ship rise to 69, including 12 from USA
Primaries: Joe Biden campaign ad takes swing at Pete Buttigieg before New Hampshire primary


usatoday--2020-02-11--'I'll probably take a hit here.': Biden faces big test in New Hampshire, where he's struggling in po

'I'll probably take a hit here.': Biden faces big test in New Hampshire, where he's struggling in polls

GILFORD , N.H. – Joe Biden has frequently cited his electability over President Donald Trump as a chief selling point of his campaign .
But on the eve of the New Hampshire primary , the former vice president is battling for his political future in a state that has a history of determining who the nominee will be .
Facing a risk of finishing in fourth of fifth place in Tuesday ’ s New Hampshire primary , Biden told a couple of hundred of voters Monday : “ Excuse my language , but I ’ ll be damned if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country to Donald Trump a second time .
“ Let ’ s get up and take back this country and take it back now , ” he said , striking a fighting tone inside a basement church to a group of mostly senior voters and retirees in a rural part of the state near Lake Winnipesaukee , north of Concord .
Biden came to the Granite State after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Iowa Democratic caucuses last week .
Even he conceded he wo n't be in the winner 's circle when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its first-in-the-nation primary .
`` It 's a long race , '' he said during Friday 's debate in Manchester .
`` I took a hit in Iowa , and I 'll probably take a hit here . ''
Monday , a Quinnipiac University national poll heaped on more bad news : His support nationally among Democratic voters and independent voters who lean Democratic plummeted from 26 % to 17 % over the past two weeks .
He 's second behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ( 25 % ) and only slightly ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg ( 15 % ) , who 's eating into the former vice president 's centrist base thanks to millions of dollars spent on television ads blanketing the country .
Biden 's electability also appears to be in question .
In the same poll two weeks ago , 44 % said Biden had the best chance of winning against Trump , far ahead of his rivals .
Biden still leads with 27 % in the latest poll , but Sanders ( 24 % ) and Bloomberg ( 17 % ) are close behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman a 'lying dog-faced pony soldier ' after she asks him about poor Iowa showing '' Clearly , Biden ’ s fourth place finish in Iowa has hurt the perception of what was his biggest strength – electability , ” Quinnipiac University Poll analyst Tim Malloy said .
Biden has been sliding in New Hampshire polling , surpassed by two other center-left candidates , first former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and more recently Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
Sanders remains the front-runner in New Hampshire .
Boarding his bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , the former vice president pushed back when asked by a reporter what his campaign needs to do differently .
“ I don ’ t have to do anything differently , ” he said , shortly before the latest Quinnipiac poll came out .
“ This is just getting started .
If you notice , I ’ m still leading all the national polls .
Get real.
” Biden ’ s campaign gatherings in New Hampshire have been smaller and more subdued than the overflow rallies of the surging Buttigieg and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire , said there 's a `` good chance '' Biden will finish as low as fifth behind Sanders , Buttigieg , Klobuchar and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
Warren , who hails from a neighboring state , is likely to do a little better than Biden but probably wo n't finish in the top two , based on recent polling .
Since 1972 , no Democratic candidate finishing lower than second in the New Hampshire primary has gone on to win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poses a last chance for some struggling 2020 Democrats '' It 's been a no-good , very bad , miserable week for Joe Biden , '' Scala said .
`` Front-runners can lose .
They can be set back .
But they should n't be embarrassed . ''
Biden 's supporters said the race will turn to his favor once the campaign turns to states with large minority populations such as South Carolina .
Klobuchar enjoyed a post-debate bounce in New Hampshire and sailed into third place , according to two polls released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll found Klobuchar is the choice of 14 % of likely primary voters behind Sanders ( 27 % ) and Buttigieg ( 19 % ) .
Sanders ' 8-point lead over Buttigieg reflected a shift from Friday , when the poll found the former mayor slightly ahead of the senator from Vermont .
Biden and Warren were tied for fourth in the poll at 12 % each .
Age range:4 decades separate 2020 's presidential candidates .
Here 's what that looks like .
One Biden supporter said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released an online video over the weekend that mocked Buttigieg ’ s experience .
“ I have been 100 % behind Biden , right up until Saturday , ” said Doris MacHaffie , 87 , of Gilford .
“ He had one ad on against Buttigieg , where I thought he was very demeaning of him .
It just broke my heart .
...
It puts him in the same lane with Trump .
That ’ s what we ’ ve got to stay away from.
” She said she ’ s still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ve been through too much .
It isn ’ t just Band-aids .
It ’ s big bandages that we need , '' she said .

Ledyard King and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

‘I'll probably take a hit here.': Biden faces big test in New Hampshire, where he’s struggling in polls
Show Caption Hide Caption Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
GILFORD, N.H. – Joe Biden has frequently cited his electability over President Donald Trump as a chief selling point of his campaign. But on the eve of the New Hampshire primary, the former vice president is battling for his political future in a state that has a history of determining who the nominee will be.
Facing a risk of finishing in fourth of fifth place in Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, Biden told a couple of hundred of voters Monday: “Excuse my language, but I’ll be damned if I stand by and watch us lose this country to Donald Trump a second time.
“Let’s get up and take back this country and take it back now,” he said, striking a fighting tone inside a basement church to a group of mostly senior voters and retirees in a rural part of the state near Lake Winnipesaukee, north of Concord.
Live results: Follow along for live updates from the New Hampshire primary
Biden came to the Granite State after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Iowa Democratic caucuses last week. Even he conceded he won't be in the winner's circle when the Granite State finishes counting ballots in its first-in-the-nation primary.
"It's a long race," he said during Friday's debate in Manchester. "I took a hit in Iowa, and I'll probably take a hit here."
Monday, a Quinnipiac University national poll heaped on more bad news: His support nationally among Democratic voters and independent voters who lean Democratic plummeted from 26% to 17% over the past two weeks.
He's second behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (25%) and only slightly ahead of former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (15%), who's eating into the former vice president's centrist base thanks to millions of dollars spent on television ads blanketing the country.
Biden's electability also appears to be in question. In the same poll two weeks ago, 44% said Biden had the best chance of winning against Trump, far ahead of his rivals. Biden still leads with 27% in the latest poll, but Sanders (24%) and Bloomberg (17%) are close behind.
Biting back: Biden jokingly calls woman a 'lying dog-faced pony soldier' after she asks him about poor Iowa showing
"Clearly, Biden’s fourth place finish in Iowa has hurt the perception of what was his biggest strength – electability,” Quinnipiac University Poll analyst Tim Malloy said.
Biden has been sliding in New Hampshire polling, surpassed by two other center-left candidates, first former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and more recently Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Sanders remains the front-runner in New Hampshire.
Boarding his bus to head to an event in Salem on Monday, the former vice president pushed back when asked by a reporter what his campaign needs to do differently.
“I don’t have to do anything differently,” he said, shortly before the latest Quinnipiac poll came out. “This is just getting started. If you notice, I’m still leading all the national polls. Get real.”
No word: Justice Dept. won't confirm Biden investigation
Biden’s campaign gatherings in New Hampshire have been smaller and more subdued than the overflow rallies of the surging Buttigieg and the concert-style Sanders appearances.
Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire, said there's a "good chance" Biden will finish as low as fifth behind Sanders, Buttigieg, Klobuchar and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Warren, who hails from a neighboring state, is likely to do a little better than Biden but probably won't finish in the top two, based on recent polling.
Since 1972, no Democratic candidate finishing lower than second in the New Hampshire primary has gone on to win the nomination.
Final shot: New Hampshire poses a last chance for some struggling 2020 Democrats
"It's been a no-good, very bad, miserable week for Joe Biden," Scala said. "Front-runners can lose. They can be set back. But they shouldn't be embarrassed."
Biden's supporters said the race will turn to his favor once the campaign turns to states with large minority populations such as South Carolina.
Klobuchar enjoyed a post-debate bounce in New Hampshire and sailed into third place, according to two polls released a day before Tuesday's primary.
A Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll found Klobuchar is the choice of 14% of likely primary voters behind Sanders (27%) and Buttigieg (19%). Sanders' 8-point lead over Buttigieg reflected a shift from Friday, when the poll found the former mayor slightly ahead of the senator from Vermont. Biden and Warren were tied for fourth in the poll at 12% each.
Age range: 4 decades separate 2020's presidential candidates. Here's what that looks like.
Polls show a number of voters remain undecided.
One Biden supporter said she wasn’t happy that his campaign released an online video over the weekend that mocked Buttigieg’s experience.
“I have been 100% behind Biden, right up until Saturday,” said Doris MacHaffie, 87, of Gilford. “He had one ad on against Buttigieg, where I thought he was very demeaning of him. It just broke my heart. ... It puts him in the same lane with Trump. That’s what we’ve got to stay away from.”
She said she’s still with Biden, touting his experience:
“We’ve been through too much. It isn’t just Band-aids. It’s big bandages that we need," she said.


usatoday--2020-02-11--New Hampshire's primary gets Democrats one step closer to a nominee. Here's what to know

Check back for updates throughout the day ahead of the New Hampshire primary .
WASHINGTON – New Hampshire 's first-in-the-nation primaries are finally upon us — just eight days after chaos surrounding the release of Iowa 's Democratic caucus results .
The primaries began at midnight — a tradition in the township of Dixville Notch — and will stay open in most places until 7 p.m .
ET .
On the Democratic side , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont heads into Tuesday 's primary as a frontrunner after leading several recent state polls .
The momentum follows his finish in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most raw vote support and was in the top two in state delegate equivalents .
'Stakes are incredibly high ' : New Hampshire voters feel the pressure as primary looms Sanders also has a home-field advantage in New Hampshire : his home state of Vermont is a neighbor , and neighbors have fared well in previous Granite State primaries .
Plus , he 's won New Hampshire before .
In 2016 , Sanders took 60 % of the vote in the Democratic primary , compared to his rival Hillary Clinton at 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mayor Pete Buttigieg also heads into Tuesday with momentum from the Hawkeye State .
He leads Iowa in state delegate equivalents ( the marker traditionally used to declare a winner ) and the party has stated he received the most national delegates , though no winner has officially been declared .
He has shot to second place in several New Hampshire polls , and could pick up undecided voters , of which there are still many .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who finished third in Iowa and is from the neighboring state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling ahead of Tuesday .
Once seen as a frontrunner in some early states , some recently polling has seen her fall out of the top 3 .
She will be looking for a surge of enthusiasm in New Hampshire .
More : Bernie Sanders takes lead for the first time in national Quinnipiac poll ahead of New Hampshire primary Sen. Amy Klobuchar is seeing a late surge in the state , coming in at third in several of the most recent state polls .
She also could benefit from the number undecided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , however , has been lowering expectations in the state , after his fourth-place finish in Iowa .
Biden on Friday during the Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire said , “ I ’ ll probably take a hit here.
” His campaign is pointing to the upcoming elections in Nevada and South Carolina , where he holds a lead in polling .
On the Republican side , President Donald Trump is expected to win handily over challenger former Gov .
Bill Weld .
Polling has show Trump with a substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the Iowa Republican caucus .
The New Hampshire primary is only the second voting contest in the election of a party nominee , but it holds an outsize influence : No Democrat since the 1970s has places lower than second in New Hampshire and become the nominee.In addition , those who finish at top in the state will likely benefit from media attention and fundraising before the Nevada caucuses and South Carolina primaries .
Check back for updates throughout the day .

Sen. Bernie Sanders edges Pete Buttigieg to win New Hampshire Democratic primary, according to projections
Show Caption Hide Caption Democratic debate post-Iowa had candidates trading blows in New Hampshire The debate between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary had some Democratic candidates landing blows, and some making strides. USA TODAY
Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire’s Democratic primary Tuesday, edging Pete Buttigieg in the Democrats’ presidential nominating contest after last week’s muddled results in the Iowa caucuses, according to projections by media outlets.
Less than 1 percent of the pledged delegates to the national convention were at stake, an even smaller number than in Iowa. But the first two states typically winnow the race and define the frontrunners after voters in the small states have spent months kicking the tires on all the campaigns.
“Thank you, New Hampshire,” Sanders said. “Let me take this opportunity to thank the people of New Hampshire for a great victory tonight.”
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar was on pace to finish a strong third.
And since 1972, no Democratic candidate finishing lower than second in the New Hampshire primary has gone on to win the nomination. In the last six contested Democratic primaries, New Hampshire voted for the party’s eventual nominee half the time.
Next up are the Feb. 22 caucuses in Nevada, a state with a more racially diverse population than the first two and one where labor unions play an outsized role. South Carolina’s primary is Feb. 29.
We just won the New Hampshire primary. What we have done together here is nothing short of the beginning of a political revolution. Join us live at our primary night rally in Manchester! https://t.co/OmKd1xIumv — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 12, 2020
In California, the state with the largest cache of delegates at stake, early ballots have already been mailed to voters. California’s results will be tallied as part of Super Tuesday on March 3, when a third of all delegates will be awarded.
- Maureen Groppe
Buttigieg: We are here to stay
As networks called a narrow victory for Bernie Sanders, second-place finisher Pete Buttigieg thanked New Hampshire for validating his campaign.
“Thanks to you,” he said, “a campaign that some say shouldn’t be here at all has shown that we are here to stay.”
Buttigieg called for a debate over which candidate has the best vision for how to win the White House and unify the country, countering his rivals without citing them by name.
“We must get this right,” he said. “Let’s welcome that debate.”
While all Democrats share the goals of “bringing balance” to the economy and health care to everyone, along with attacking climate change and gun violence, he said, there are different views on how to get there.
In an implicit swipe at Sanders, Buttigieg said that the politics of “my way or the highway” is not the way to defeat Trump.
He also addressed the criticism from Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar – who finished a surprising third -- and former Vice President Joe Biden – who left without winning any delegates -- that he doesn’t have enough experience to be president. While some might dismiss him as a naïve newcomer, he said, a fresh outlook is what makes things possible and is how you build “a new majority.”
Although Buttigieg didn’t win New Hampshire, his close second was stunning, considering that he was a virtual unknown a year ago. And Sanders was the New Hampshire favorite going into Tuesday because he won the state with more than 60% in the 2016 primary.
The contest came after Buttigieg picked up more delegates than Sanders in the Iowa caucuses, according to the Iowa Democratic Party.
“Who would have predicted six months ago that the race in N.H. would end in a fight to the finish between @BernieSanders and @PeteButtigieg?” tweeted David Axelrod, who was chief strategist for Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns. “The former South Bend mayor is having another big night, putting more wind in the sails of his improbable quest.”
- Maureen Groppe
Trump mocks ‘Impeachment King’ Steyer and rest of Democratic field
WASHINGTON – With all eyes on New Hampshire, what is the leader of the free world supposed to do?
If you’re Donald Trump, you take to Twitter and offer a rolling color commentary on the Democratic field as results roll in from the first-in-the-nation presidential primary.
“A lot of Democrat dropouts tonight, very low political I.Q.,” Trump wrote after entrepreneur Andrew Yang and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet ended their presidential campaigns following a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary.
Trump tore into a favorite target – Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who called for Democrats to unite as she headed for a disappointing fourth-place finish.
“Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is having a really bad night,” he tweeted. “I think she is sending signals that she wants out. Calling for unity is her way of getting there, going home, and having a ‘nice cold beer’ with her husband!”
Trump ripped businessman Tom Steyer, who before jumping into the Democratic primary founded and pumped millions of dollars into a group calling for Trump to be impeached.
With more than two-thirds of the vote reported, Steyer appeared headed for a distant sixth-place finish.
“Impeachment King Steyer (how did that work out?) spent 200 Million Dollars and got less than 1% of the vote in Iowa, and only 3% of the Vote in New Hampshire,” Trump gloated. “Could it be that something is just plain missing? Not easy to do what I did, is it?”
Trump even went after former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who wasn’t on the New Hampshire ballot.
“A very bad night for Mini Mike!” he tweeted.
Just a few hours earlier, Trump-branded Bloomberg a “lightweight,” accused him of trying to buy the Democratic primary, and said he’d rather run against him than Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in November.
“Sanders has real followers,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office “Whether you like him or not, whether you agree with him or not – I happen to think it’s terrible what he says – but he has followers. Bloomberg is just buying his way in.”
- Michael Collins
Amy Klobuchar: Tonight is about grit
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar presented herself as one of New Hampshire’s famous comeback kids Tuesday night, as incomplete results showed she would finish in the top three in the first-in-the-nation primary.
“Tonight is about grit,” Klobuchar told her cheering supporters as she stood in front of a large, green “Amy” sign. “And my story, like so many of yours, is one of reliance.”
Counted out of the race by most people as recently as a week ago – “Thank you, pundits” she added – Klobuchar said she “came back and we delivered.”
“And, man, were we at the debate in New Hampshire!” she said.
Following a strong debate performance Friday, Klobuchar surged in the past week after her apparent fifth-place finish in Iowa. About half of those surveyed in a CNN Exit Poll said the most recent debate was an important factor in Tuesday’s vote.
Klobuchar said President Donald Trump’s worst nightmare is the “people in the middle” who have had enough of his name-calling and mud-slinging and now have someone else to vote for in November.
She promised to turn her “happy, scrappy campaign” into a movement of fired-up Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans that see the election as a check on the economy, on patriotism and decency.
It’s not about having the loudest voice or biggest bank account, she said, but the best ideas and the person who can turn those ideas into action.
But Klobuchar, whose fundraising and staffing lags far behind the other top candidates, could have a tough time replicating her success in the upcoming states.
“The acceleration of this race is hard to capture,” David Plouffe, the 2008 campaign manager for Barack Obama, said on MSNBC. “She’s got to now put together a national campaign overnight.
- Maureen Groppe
‘It ain’t over man:’ Joe Biden promises to win South Carolina
After a disappointing finish in New Hampshire, Joe Biden told a cheering South Carolina crowd Tuesday night he was counting on them to be the “opening bell” of the campaign for him.
“The fight to end Donald Trump’s presidency is just beginning,” the former vice president said, speaking at a launch party in Columbia.
Biden touted the importance of the next two elections: the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22, and the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29.
Biden left New Hampshire even before the polls closed after predicting he would not do well in the Granite State. Having lost in Iowa and New Hampshire whites make up a disproportionate of the electorate, Biden is pinning his hopes on the “black and brown voters” in more diverse states.
“Up ‘til now, we haven’t heard from the most committed constituency in the Democratic Party, the African American community. And the fastest-growing segment of society, the Latino community,” he said. “So to hear all these pundits and experts, all these cable TV talkers talk about the race, tell them: ‘it ain’t over, man. We’re just getting started. Our votes count too’.”
Unofficial election results show Biden fishing in fifth in New Hampshire after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Iowa Democratic caucuses last week. Even he conceded Sunday he won't be in the winner's circle when the Granite State finishes counting ballots in its first-in-the-nation primary.
"It's a long race," he said during Friday's debate in Manchester. "I took a hit in Iowa, and I'll probably take a hit here."
A poor showing in New Hampshire is traditionally a death knell. Since 1972, no Democratic candidate who finished lower than second has gone on to win the presidential nomination.
- Ledyard King
Sanders, Buttigieg, Klobuchar leading New Hampshire primary field
Three candidates – Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar – were leading the board as the results came in.
MSNBC projected that those are the only three who will end up with pledged delegates when the results are final.
Sanders, the Vermont senator who won New Hampshire handily in the 2016 primary, was at the top.
Buttigieg and Klobuchar were closely behind.
“Looks like Bernie will win but not like he did in 2016,” tweeted Joe Lockhart, who was former President Bill Clinton’s press secretary. “State of the race no clearer tonight.”
Although no candidate is likely to leave New Hampshire with the frontrunner title, the primary did narrow the field. Two candidates – Andrew Yang and Michael Bennet – suspended their campaigns before the results were final.
- Maureen Groppe
Gabbard says she will continue her campaign in South Carolina
Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard told supporters that she will stay in the primary race and continue on to South Carolina after a projected disappointing finish in New Hampshire.
“No matter what happens here tonight, I want you to know that we have already been victorious because of what we have built here, together." Gabbard, who relocated from Hawaii to New Hampshire in December to focus on the primary, said in a speech Tuesday night. “As much as they have tried to erase us from this election, we stand strong. We are still here."
Gabbard’s campaign is planning multiple events tomorrow in South Carolina.
- Savannah Behrmann
Sanders supporters feeling confident
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Loud cheers erupted from Sanders supporters at his election night party, held in a basketball gym on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University, when CNN showed him in first with 28 percent of the vote.
The crowd, many waving “Bernie” signs, counted down, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1!” as polls closed and then broke into chants of, “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” They continued to cheer as votes trickled in and Sanders’ lead maintained.
“I believe in the movement, I believe in the cause and I believe it’s time to take America back by the people and for the people,” said Scott Dakota, a 55-year-old musician and composer from Keene, New Hampshire, positioned directly in front of the stage where Sanders will be speaking.
“No recent Democrat nor Republican recent candidate has made sense to me until Bernie Sanders came along,” said Dakota, a campaign volunteer who opened his house as a canvassing station. “Bernie Sanders brought me back into politics.”
John Thyng, 47, of Deering, N.H., wearing a purple SEIU Local 1984 sweatshirt, said he’s hopeful Sanders’ performance in New Hampshire will “set the stage for the rest of the country.”
“He’s great for workers, working people, and we need to make a change,” Thyng said. “We need a revolution and he’s the person who’s going to help us do it.”
He added: “There’s a lot of people who have been trying to pull Bernie down here in New Hampshire, a lot of the political establishment, but people want change and he’s going to bring the change that we need.”
Standing next to Thyng, Ruth Simcox, 69, a volunteer from Bloomington, Indiana, said she’s been volunteering in New Hampshire since last Thursday, mostly helping with canvassing. She said she talked to many Sanders supporters who “after Iowa, they’re planning on this being a big night for us.”
“I think Bernie Sanders is one of the truest, honest candidates we’ve had in a long time,” Simcox said. “He’s for the people, not for the money.”
She said she feels good about the results that have come in so far and that it will hold up. “I’m sure they will,” she said.
Warren campaign looking ahead as she falls behind in New Hampshire
Elizabeth Warren spoke to a New Hampshire crowd as she was projected not to crack the 15% threshold required to receive delegates in the first-in-the-nation primary.
Sanders, Buttigieg and Klobuchar are projected to land in the top three slots. But Warren said her campaign is still looking to the remaining primaries.
Warren said she respects the Sanders and Buttigieg, and “I also want to congratulate my friend and colleague Amy Klobuchar for showing just how wrong the pundits can be when they count a woman out.”
“Senator Sanders and Mayor Buttigieg are both great people and either of them would be a far better president than Donald Trump.”
Undeterred, Warren said her campaign would unite the Democratic Party and the country behind ideas that accomplish structural change, making life better for the majority of Americans.
“Our campaign is best positioned to beat Donald Trump in November, because we can unite our party.
She also decried “harsh tactics” of attacking fellow candidates in ads and “supporters shouting curses,” and urged the party to avoid falling into “factions.”
“We’re two states in, with 55 states and territories to go. We still have 98% of the delegates for our nomination up for grabs, and Americans in every part of our country are going to make their voices heard.”
-Jeanine Santucci
Michael Bennet ends campaign for president
Sen. Michael Bennet, who joined the presidential race after a fiery speech on the Senate floor during the government shutdown last year, has ended his bid for the presidency, according to the Associated Press.
Bennet had staked much of campaign's future on the New Hampshire primary, forgoing months of campaigning in other early states to stick to the Granite State.
But Tuesday's early results showed Bennet trailing his top-tier rivals by double-digits.
Andrew Yang ends his campaign for presidency
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Andrew Yang, an entrepreneur whose signature policy included giving all adults a monthly stipend, has ended his quest for the presidency, according to several news outlets.
"I'm so proud of this campaign. Thank you to everyone who got us here," he tweeted Tuesday shortly after polls closed.
Yang's candidacy comes to an end following an unexpected rise last year, where he outlasted a New York City mayor, former and current governors, and even several U.S. senators in his quest for the presidency. Despite being relatively unknown when he first announced his candidacy, Yang grew an energetic and passionate base – known as the Yang Gang – that propelled him into a household name.
Yang, 45, is the founder of the nonprofit Venture for America, and before announcing his campaign for presidency, had never run for elected office before. The Obama administration selected him in 2012 as a “Champion of Change” and in 2015 as a Presidential Ambassador for “Global Entrepreneurship.”
New Hampshire Democratic primary voters prioritize electability over issues
Most New Hampshire voters participating in the first-in-the-nation Democratic primary Tuesday are “angry” with the Trump administration, support a Medicare-for-All style health care plan, and think the nominee’s most important quality is the ability to beat President Donald Trump in November, according to an exit poll conducted for CNN and other television networks.
Surveys of voters taken before polls closed in the Granite State provide an early indication of what’s motivating people as they fill out their ballots.
The exit poll, conducted by Edison Research for the National Election Pool, are based on interviews conducted throughout the day with 1,947 randomly selected Democratic primary voters at 45 wards in New Hampshire. Results for the full sample have a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Among their findings:
Nearly half who say they decided on their candidate did so only in the past few days, a sign of how in flux the Democratic field is.
About half said Friday’s debate in Manchester was an important factor in deciding their vote for president.
By a roughly 2-1 margin, voters said they are looking for a candidate who can beat President Trump over one who agrees with them on the issues, echoing similar trends found in previous voter surveys.
Eight in 10 say they're "angry" about the Trump administration.
About four in 10 cited health care as the most important issue, and six in 10 said they could support a single-government plan, such as Medicare for All, a program outed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Climate change was the next most often cited issue with about 3 in 10 naming it their top concern.
The exit polls also showed two trends that could be warning signs for Sanders, according to MS-NBC
About a third of voters were 65 or older, compared to only 11% between 18 and 29. In addition, about four in 10 identified themselves as moderates or conservatives compared to about two in ten who called themselves “very liberal.”
Progressives and younger voters have been the core of Sanders’ support.
- Ledyard King
Trump says he’d like to run against ‘lightweight’ Bloomberg
President Donald Trump offered his thoughts on the Democratic presidential field on Tuesday just a couple of hours before polls closed in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary.
Trump mocked former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as “lightweight” and accused him of trying to buy the Democratic nomination.
“He’s also one of the worst debaters I’ve ever seen,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump said he’d rather face Bloomberg in November than Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“Sanders has real followers,” Trump said. “Whether you like him or not, whether you agree with him or not – I happen to think it’s terrible what he says – but he has followers. Bloomberg is just buying his way in.”
Asked about former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign, Trump said: “It’s stumbling. It’s mumbling. Not pretty."
But Trump said he thought Biden still had time to turn his campaign around.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Trump said, but “I think he can turn it around. I think he has a shot. He’s got probably almost as good a shot as anyone. But he’s going to have to work very hard – much harder than they thought.”
- Michael Collins
Democratic strategists will be watching closely after muddled Iowa results
All eyes will be on participation in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary as Democratic strategists wrestle with the consequential uncertainty of whether voters are already tuning out with nine months left on the election calendar.
Lower-than-expected participation in the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses and arena-packed crowds at President Donald Trump’s rallies that have eclipsed those of his rivals – including one on the eve of the New Hampshire primary – have rattled some and undermined the early narrative that Democrats are so energized after losing in 2016 that they’re ready to show up in droves in 2020.
The Granite State’s participation in Tuesday’s primary could portend whether Democrats are facing the same enthusiasm headwinds that worked against Hillary Clinton four years ago.
“Democrats can’t just take it for granted that we’ll have an enthusiasm advantage in November,” said Josh Schwerin with Priorities USA Action, a political action committee that supports Democratic candidates. “Just having Trump on the ballot isn’t enough.”
A higher turnout in New Hampshire would allay concerns over the challenges facing Democrats in November, including a strong economy and volatility in their own field. But strategists warn it’s still early in the primary process, and the entire dynamic could change as the field begins to narrow and Democrats coalesce around a candidate.
Read more on whether the Democrats face an enthusiasm gap as they prepare to take on Trump.
- Courtney Subramanian and John Fritze
Warren volunteers remain confident
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Needing a strong performance in her neighboring state that overperforms her sagging projections, Elizabeth Warren thanked supporters outside a voting site here Tuesday afternoon, telling them, “We’re going to do this together.”
Warren, U.S. senator from Massachusetts, arrived to chants of “Big structural change” and “Just two cents” from dozens of her followers outside Webster Elementary School north of downtown Manchester. “We love you, Elizabeth!” one woman yelled. The senator took turns taking selfies as she greeted a line of fans that led to the school’s front-door.
“Fighting back is an act of patriotism,” Warren said to one man who called her a patriot. “That’s right!” he responded.
Warren ignored questions from reporters asking what a victory looks like Tuesday and whether she needs to win the state.
At one time, Warren was considered a strong contender in New Hampshire given its proximity to Massachusetts. But now many polls have her in fourth place, surpassed most recently by the surging Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Any finish lower than the top two would raise questions about the long-term viability of her campaign – but the campaign is already pushing back.
“After New Hampshire tonight, 98% of pledged delegates will still be up for grabs,” Warren’s campaign manager Roger Lau wrote in a campaign memo released ahead of election night. “And as the race consolidates after Super Tuesday, we expect the results to show that Elizabeth Warren is the consensus choice of the widest coalition of Democrats in every corner of the country.”
Warren’s volunteers outside the Manchester polling site said they still have confidence she can win the nomination.
“Not at all,” said Colin Pio, a Warren volunteer from Manchester, when asked whether he has concerns about her poll numbers. “Look, I worked for Hillary Clinton here in 2008. We woke up on election morning and she was down 10 points and she ended up winning. Who knows what’s going to happen?
“Frankly, I think this race is going to go on for months after months at this point. This is the tip of the iceberg.”
MaryRose Mazzola, a campaign volunteer from Boston, touted Warren’s ground game and said Warren historically outperforms her polling. She’s hopeful she can finish at least third in New Hampshire.
“Especially with third place wide open, I think she has a great shot at it,” said Mazzola, who is chief of staff for Massachusetts state Sen. Barry Finegold, a Democrat from Andover, Massachusetts.
“The chaos in Iowa has kind of led to the race continuing to be wide open,” Mazzola said. She’s a unique candidate. You see the polling where she’s a lot of people’s second as well as first choice. So, I think third would be strong and could translate, get the fundraising back up and could really spread across the country.”
- Joey Garrison
Biden will leave New Hampshire earlier than expected to go to South Carolina
WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Joe Biden will leave New Hampshire earlier than expected Tuesday to go campaign in South Carolina.
Ahead of what could be a lower finish in the Granite State, the Biden campaign announced he and his wife Jill Biden would leave New Hampshire following the conclusion of the primary, opting out of a planned event in Nashua, and travel to South Carolina.
The Bidens will instead attend a launch party with campaign co-chair Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., and address New Hampshire supporters in a livestream. According to the campaign, Joe Biden’s sister Valerie Biden Owens would thank New Hampshire campaign supporters in person.
In a statement, Biden said he had “enjoyed traveling across New Hampshire” but was “looking forward to traveling to South Carolina this evening and Nevada later this week” to hear from diverse voters. The South Carolina primary is Feb. 29.
Live results: Follow results from the New Hampshire Democratic Primary
‘I'll probably take a hit here': Biden faces big test in New Hampshire, where he’s struggling in polls
According to Bloomberg News reporter Jennifer Epstein, Biden told reporters he was "mildly hopeful here in New Hampshire" shortly after his campaign announced the change in scheduling.
The primary electorates in South Carolina and Nevada, the next two states to hold Democratic presidential primaries, are more diverse than those in New Hampshire and Iowa. Biden has maintained stronger poll numbers among minorities as he has slipped in national polls.
A national Monmouth University poll released today showed Biden dropping 14 percentage points nationally since last month, from 30% to 16%, and the RealClearPolitics average of New Hampshire polls has him tied for fourth place in the state with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
- Nicholas Wu
‘Having Trump on the ballot isn’t enough: Democrats battle to rev up enthusiasm for November
New Hampshire voters look to Sanders, Klobuchar, Buttigieg as they seek nominee to take on Trump
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., appeared to be the most popular choice among New Hampshire Democratic primary voters leaving Parker Varney School, set in a middle-class neighborhood in west Manchester, Tuesday afternoon.
But Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who has shot up in polls in recent days in New Hampshire, had converts as well.
Leaving the polls, Marilyn Muir, 88, said she decided to vote for Klobuchar following her strong televised debate performance Friday.
“She was so determined and so honest,” said Muir, who is retired. “That’s what I felt. Up to then, I hadn’t determined who I would vote for. It was between her and Biden, but I went for her.”
Muir voted for Sanders, who is 78, in 2016 but said she has concerns with his age this year. “He’d be good except that he’s too old. That’s a stress on a man that age.”
But Sean Karkos, a 29-year-old attorney, said he voted for Sanders last time and again Tuesday.
“I’ve been a supporter of his since the last election, and I haven’t seen any change in his policies or what he’s arguing for.”
He cited Sanders’ progressive causes – closing the wealth gap, pushing for equal rights and his backing of a Green New Deal – as issues that appeal to him as a voter.
“I’m confident he can beat Donald Trump. Fortunately, I think most of the people running today could.”
Sanders, who leads all the latest polls, is the overwhelming favorite to win Tuesday’s primary. He won New Hampshire in the 2016 primary by 22 percentage points. But Klobuchar has rapidly surged in the state in recent days, while former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, has enjoyed a big post-Iowa bounce as well.
Mike Barber, a former construction worker who also voted for Sanders, said he almost switched to Klobuchar at the last second, but opted to back Sanders as he did in 2016.
“I just like his passion. I like some of the things he says,” Barber, 56, said.” I don’t agree with everything he says. He just hits my instincts. I think he’s the man. People ask if he can stick up in a general election to Trump. But I absolutely think he can. That’s my biggest concern right now.”
“Socialist this, socialist that,” Barber said, dismissing criticism that Sanders is too far to the left to defeat Trump. “But he can’t do anything without Congress’s help.”
Chad Johansen, 27, a self-described moderate who voted for Sanders, backed Sanders in the 2016 primary but voted for Trump in the general election over Hillary Clinton.
“I’m a small business owner, so a lot of people focus on some of his plans that are going to increase taxes,” said Johansen, who owns a phone and tablet repair shop. “But a big thing for me is the struggle to find good reliable help especially with health care. The way it is today, I can’t compete as a small business owner with what these larger businesses can offer for health benefits.”
He said he found common ground in some of Sanders’ and Trump’s positions back in 2016, but has regret for voting for Trump. He called it “Trump-gret,” and plans to “most likely” support the Democratic nominee against Trump regardless of who that is.
“Some people like the way he acts, but I think it’s childish and he needs to keep things professional as the president of the United States.”
– Joey Garrison
Buttigieg defends electability as New Hampshire votes
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg defended his electability in an interview with NBC's "Today" show Tuesday as voters cast their ballots in New Hampshire's primary election.
Polls have consistently shown Buttigieg with little backing among African-Americans, a group whose support former Vice President Joe Biden has touted as evidence he is best suited to become the nominee of a party that prides itself on diversity.
But Buttigieg argued that a good performance in New Hampshire, on the heels of his apparent win in the Iowa caucuses – The Associated Press has still not called that race – will give him a boost with minority voters.
"Voters of color who are laser focused on defeating this president, more than anything else, want to know that you can actually win," Buttigieg said. He said the positive results from the first two contests have given his campaign "the look that we now need as we will travel directly to states like Nevada, South Carolina and the Super Tuesday states that have a lot of racial diversity and where we can make that case eye-to-eye.”
- William Cummings
Voting has started in the New Hampshire primary
The first votes in the first-in-the-nation primary were cast just after midnight in three small New Hampshire towns on Tuesday.
In Dixville Notch, where midnight voting became a tradition in 1960, the town's remaining five residents delivered a surprise victory for former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg with three write-in votes (one from a registered Republican). The town's other two votes were split by Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
In the nearby town of Millsfield, WMUR reported that most of the residents cast their ballots in the Republican primary, with 16 voting for the incumbent, President Donald Trump, and one for former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota received two votes, doubling the totals of Buttigieg, Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden, who got one vote each.
‘I'll probably take a hit here': Biden faces big test in New Hampshire, where he’s struggling in polls
Klobuchar also dominated in the town of Hart's Location with six votes, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts got four, entrepreneur Andrew Yang three and Sanders two. Biden, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and billionaire Tom Steyer each got one vote, according to the town's website. On the Republican side, Trump got 15 votes while Weld got four and self-described "states' rights maniac" Mary Maxwell got one.
According to New Hampshire law, the polls in those three towns can close as soon as every registered resident has voted. The website for Hart's Landing boasted that the polls there opened at midnight and closed at 12:04 a.m., with the results posted by 12:33.
"We’re off to a great start in New Hampshire today!" Klobuchar tweeted, touting her success in the small sample from the midnight votes.
- William Cummings
What to know about today's New Hampshire primary
New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primaries are finally upon us — just eight days after chaos surrounding the release of Iowa's Democratic caucus results.
The primaries began at midnight — a tradition in the township of Dixville Notch — and will stay open in most places until 7 p.m. ET.
On the Democratic side, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont heads into Tuesday's primary as a frontrunner after leading several recent state polls. The momentum follows his finish in the Iowa caucuses, were he earned the most raw vote support and was in the top two in state delegate equivalents.
'Stakes are incredibly high': New Hampshire voters feel the pressure as primary looms
Sanders also has a home-field advantage in New Hampshire: his home state of Vermont is a neighbor, and neighbors have fared well in previous Granite State primaries. Plus, he's won New Hampshire before. In 2016, Sanders took 60% of the vote in the Democratic primary, compared to his rival Hillary Clinton at 37%.
Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg also heads into Tuesday with momentum from the Hawkeye State. He leads Iowa in state delegate equivalents (the marker traditionally used to declare a winner) and the party has stated he received the most national delegates, though no winner has officially been declared. He has shot to second place in several New Hampshire polls, and could pick up undecided voters, of which there are still many.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who finished third in Iowa and is from the neighboring state of Massachusetts, has fallen slightly in polling ahead of Tuesday. Once seen as a frontrunner in some early states, some recently polling has seen her fall out of the top 3. She will be looking for a surge of enthusiasm in New Hampshire.
More: Bernie Sanders takes lead for the first time in national Quinnipiac poll ahead of New Hampshire primary
Sen. Amy Klobuchar is seeing a late surge in the state, coming in at third in several of the most recent state polls. She also could benefit from the number undecided New Hampshire voters.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, however, has been lowering expectations in the state, after his fourth-place finish in Iowa. Biden on Friday during the Democratic primary debate in New Hampshire said, “I’ll probably take a hit here.” His campaign is pointing to the upcoming elections in Nevada and South Carolina, where he holds a lead in polling.
On the Republican side, President Donald Trump is expected to win handily over challenger former Gov. Bill Weld. Polling has show Trump with a substantial margin of support, and he overwhelming won the Iowa Republican caucus.
The New Hampshire primary is only the second voting contest in the election of a party nominee, but it holds an outsize influence: No Democrat since the 1970s has places lower than second in New Hampshire and become the nominee. In addition, those who finish at top in the state will likely benefit from media attention and fundraising before the Nevada caucuses and South Carolina primaries.
Check back for updates throughout the day.


usatoday--2020-02-11--Trump's State of the Union school choice scholarship would be paid by Betsy DeVos. One Philadelphia

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will personally fund a school choice scholarship President Donald Trump offered to a Philadelphia girl during his State of the Union address Tuesday night , a surprise award he suggested would allow the girl to leave her low-performing public school and attend a different school .
A DeVos spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday the secretary would provide the money directly to Janiyah Davis , a fourth grade student , and her mother , Stephanie , who were invited to the speech Tuesday night in Washington .
But on Friday , the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Janiyah already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most sought-after charter schools , and that her mother didn ’ t view it as a school a parent would want to leave .
According to the Inquirer , Janiyah attended a public kindergarten , then a private Christian school that charged tuition , then transferred to the popular charter school , which is a public school .
Stephanie Davis said she wasn ’ t sure if her daughter would change schools again , the story said .
During his address , Trump said Davis has been on a waiting list for Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gives businesses a tax break for donations that help pay for qualifying children to attend a different school , including private schools .
`` I can proudly announce tonight that an Opportunity Scholarship has become available , it ’ s going to you , and you will soon be heading to the school of your choice , '' Trump said to the girl .
But the scholarship did n't become available via normal channels .
DeVos would have to pay for the girl 's tuition directly if she wants to attend a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state law in Pennsylvania caps how much donors can contribute to the opportunity scholarship fund .
When USA TODAY contacted Pennsylvania 's Department of Education Wednesday , officials were n't even aware of what Trump had done during his address on Tuesday .
The school choice scholarship wait list in Pennsylvania is long .
Between the two educational tax credit programs in that state , there are about 40,000 to 50,000 more applicants than available scholarships , said Michael Torres , spokesman for the Commonwealth Foundation , a conservative think tank that supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not respond to follow-up questions about how long DeVos planned to fund the girl 's educational expenses .
The secretary , whose husband is the former CEO of multilevel marketing company Amway , donates her entire federal salary each year to charity .
State of the Union fact check : Trump stretched facts about economy , jobs Trump 's action Tuesday only added to the controversy around school choice , an overarching term that applies to nontraditional schools that get public money , such as charter schools run by nonunionized teachers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer money in some states .
Proponents , including DeVos and Vice President Mike Pence , believe students should be able to use taxpayer money to pursue whatever kind of education they desire , from religious schools to homeschooling .
DeVos and Trump have advocated for a $ 5 billion federal school voucher program , which Trump also championed in his State of the Union address .
But the program is widely believed to be dead on arrival in a Democrat-controlled House .
Some conservatives oppose it also .
Opponents of private-school choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , believe the programs siphon off money and students from traditional districts , leaving fewer resources in public schools to serve the most challenged students .
Education coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .
The Gates Foundation does not provide editorial input .

Trump's State of the Union school choice scholarship would be paid by Betsy DeVos. One Philadelphia girl would benefit.
Show Caption Hide Caption State of the Union includes Pelosi ripping speech, soldier homecoming President Donald Trump's State of the Union had several unusual moments, including his refusal to shake House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's hand. USA TODAY
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will personally fund a school choice scholarship President Donald Trump offered to a Philadelphia girl during his State of the Union address Tuesday night, a surprise award he suggested would allow the girl to leave her low-performing public school and attend a different school.
A DeVos spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday the secretary would provide the money directly to Janiyah Davis, a fourth grade student, and her mother, Stephanie, who were invited to the speech Tuesday night in Washington.
But on Friday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Janiyah already attends one of the city’s most sought-after charter schools, and that her mother didn’t view it as a school a parent would want to leave.
According to the Inquirer, Janiyah attended a public kindergarten, then a private Christian school that charged tuition, then transferred to the popular charter school, which is a public school. Stephanie Davis said she wasn’t sure if her daughter would change schools again, the story said.
During his address, Trump said Davis has been on a waiting list for Pennsylvania's opportunity scholarship program, a program that gives businesses a tax break for donations that help pay for qualifying children to attend a different school, including private schools.
"I can proudly announce tonight that an Opportunity Scholarship has become available, it’s going to you, and you will soon be heading to the school of your choice," Trump said to the girl.
But the scholarship didn't become available via normal channels.
DeVos would have to pay for the girl's tuition directly if she wants to attend a private school again, in part because state law in Pennsylvania caps how much donors can contribute to the opportunity scholarship fund.
When USA TODAY contacted Pennsylvania's Department of Education Wednesday, officials weren't even aware of what Trump had done during his address on Tuesday.
The school choice scholarship wait list in Pennsylvania is long. Between the two educational tax credit programs in that state, there are about 40,000 to 50,000 more applicants than available scholarships, said Michael Torres, spokesman for the Commonwealth Foundation, a conservative think tank that supports school choice.
DeVos spokeswoman Liz Hill did not respond to follow-up questions about how long DeVos planned to fund the girl's educational expenses. The secretary, whose husband is the former CEO of multilevel marketing company Amway, donates her entire federal salary each year to charity.
State of the Union fact check:Trump stretched facts about economy, jobs
Trump's action Tuesday only added to the controversy around school choice, an overarching term that applies to nontraditional schools that get public money, such as charter schools run by nonunionized teachers and private, religious schools that may receive taxpayer money in some states.
Proponents, including DeVos and Vice President Mike Pence, believe students should be able to use taxpayer money to pursue whatever kind of education they desire, from religious schools to homeschooling.
DeVos and Trump have advocated for a $5 billion federal school voucher program, which Trump also championed in his State of the Union address. But the program is widely believed to be dead on arrival in a Democrat-controlled House. Some conservatives oppose it also.
Opponents of private-school choice, including teachers unions and most Democrats, believe the programs siphon off money and students from traditional districts, leaving fewer resources in public schools to serve the most challenged students.
Education coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation does not provide editorial input.


usatoday--2020-02-11--OnPolitics: What if New Hampshire beats Iowa to the punch?

Now , brave newsletter readers , we turn to New Hampshire We realize that Iowa is still counting , or whatever , but it 's time to move on to New Hampshire , where hopefully things are a bit more squared away .
Think about it this way , if New Hampshire is able to sort out full-on official results in a timely manner before Iowa , they will be the first-in-the-nation to release complete primary results .
That 's bound to be on a trivia question .
The news from New Hampshire : • Bernie Sanders takes lead for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary • New Hampshire Democrats are still candidate shopping Seems like we 've all been there .
The debt is piling up and we make a pinky promise to get out of it with some power couponing and lifestyle cuts .
Maybe spend less on UberEats .
For the government , it means having to sort out ways to fund prioritized programs and cut back other items .
President Donald Trump revealed his suggested budget on Monday and the proposed changes are sweeping .
• How the federal government 's budget is different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call for increases in military spending , cuts in domestic programs

OnPolitics: What if New Hampshire beats Iowa to the punch?
Show Caption Hide Caption Buttigieg on NH primary eve: 'This is our chance' A day before New Hampshire voters head to the polls for its first in the nation primary, Pete Buttigieg spoke to voters in Plymouth to push his case for why he's the Democrat's best shot at beating Donald Trump. (Feb. 10) AP
Now, brave newsletter readers, we turn to New Hampshire
We realize that Iowa is still counting, or whatever, but it's time to move on to New Hampshire, where hopefully things are a bit more squared away.
Think about it this way, if New Hampshire is able to sort out full-on official results in a timely manner before Iowa, they will be the first-in-the-nation to release complete primary results. That's bound to be on a trivia question.
The news from New Hampshire:
Whelp, we literally owe trillions
Seems like we've all been there. The debt is piling up and we make a pinky promise to get out of it with some power couponing and lifestyle cuts. Maybe spend less on UberEats.
For the government, it means having to sort out ways to fund prioritized programs and cut back other items. President Donald Trump revealed his suggested budget on Monday and the proposed changes are sweeping.