NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNAROUND? - AT 9:58 A.M. ET:  We often like to examine individual states here because we have a federal system in America.  States count. 

Democrats have been gloating in recent years over the fact that New Hampshire, once a symbol of Republicanism, has been trending Democratic, in part because of immigration from Massachusetts.  But that trend may be weakening.  Consider this from Rasmussen:

Republican Kelly Ayotte leads Democrat Paul Hodes by eight points in an early look at New Hampshire’s 2010 race for the U.S. Senate.

The first Rasmussen Reports survey of the race to fill the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Senator Judd Gregg shows Ayotte ahead 46% to 38%.

And...

Voters in New Hampshire are closely divided over the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats: 47% favor it, while 50% are opposed. But the antis feel more strongly, with 42% strongly opposed versus 30% who are strongly in favor of the legislation.

COMMENT:  So, New Hampshire is competitive, and it's up to the national GOP to give its soldiers in the state all the support they need.  Dems were expecting a Senate turnover, but that can clearly be prevented.

September 18, 2009