Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain in Tight Race in New Hampshire Primary

One of the first challenges for Republican candidates competing for the Republican nomination to be the party's candidate for President is the New Hampshire Primary. The Republican Party needs to nominate a new candidate since President George Bush has served two consecutive terms and is not eligible for reelection. The New Hampshire Primary started in 1916 and has a rich history.

"Since 1977, New Hampshire law has stated that its primary is to be the first in the nation" Being first helps the New Hampshire Primary determine the early front runners even though New Hampshire is a small state. The results can make or break candidates. A good showing here by a lesser known candidate could propel them to being a front runner. A poor showing by a favorite candidate could drop them from continuing to be a front runner. However, it is important to keep in mind, that there will be several primaries as the Republican Party decides who will be their next Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.

The Marist Poll released October 14, 2007 reports "Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney edges the field of candidates vying for the Republican presidential nomination." 26% of likely Republican presidential primary voters would vote for Mitt Romney. Romney was followed closely by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani with 20% and Senator John McCain with 17%. The race is extremely close with 15% undicided.10% of the pollsters were for Senator Fred Thompson. The rest were former Governor Mike Huckabee with 7%, Congressmen Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter with 2% each, Congressman Tom Tancredo with 1% and Senator Sam Brownback with less than 1%.

The Marist Poll is run by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinions. The Poughkeepsie, New York school is a private college.