It was like watching a college football upset. On Tuesday night, Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton outscored the other teams and took the second campaign matchup—the New Hampshire primary—for the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively.
Their wins prompted the press to call McCain's triumph "Lazarus-like," and to partially pin Clinton's win on her "Muskie moment." We had to look up both of these references and thought we'd share what they mean:
The Lazarus reference is biblical
After coming in fourth in Iowa last Thursday, McCain won New Hampshire by five points, returning, some thought, from the dead. Over the summer his campaign fell into disarray and was financially broke. The press called his New Hampshire win "Lazarus-like," referring to the Bible and the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus is said to have raised from the dead.
The Muskie reference is wonkish
What's in a tear? Apparently a lot if you've followed all the press surrounding Hillary Clinton's emotional comments the day before the Tuesday primary. The press called it her "Muskie moment," referring to Ed Muskie, a presidential candidate from Maine back in 1972 who reportedly teared up at a press conference while defending disparaging comments about his wife. Seems like something only political buffs (a.k.a. political wonks) would remember! (Watch video of her comments)
Older women and independents key to wins
Independents and women made all the difference in the New Hampshire primary for the comeback kids. McCain scored high with the state's large number of independents, which accounted for 37% of Republican voters there.
Women, some swayed by her show of emotion, voted overwhelmingly for Clinton—she won in this category over Iowa winner Barack Obama by 12 points. But the biggest win for her over Obama came among women 65 years and over, women who probably remember the Feminist movement best. She took 57%; he 27%.
The big picture
There's no rest for the weary. For the candidates it's on to Nevada, Michigan, South Carolina and then Florida—all this month. For the voters like us it's another three weeks of political craziness until Super Tuesday on February 5. But with huge voter turnout and no clear front-runner in either party, we certainly have ourselves a ball game. So get out the popcorn and be sure to pull up a seat!
