people. we need to develop pathways for success for all of our people. we certainly have the ability to do that. we have a government that understands that making people -- we simply need to have a government that understands that making people dependent is not doing them a favor, but creating letters of opportunity so that people, through their own efforts, can't climb out of dependency and become part of the fabric and the strength of america. that is what it is all about. [applause] ben carson: one of the things that is so disturbing about right now is what is happening to our veterans. -- know, we

this country, since it's an has been involved in some kind of conflict at average every 15 or 20 years. we would not be a free country if it was not for our veterans. [applause] dr. ben carson: so, we clearly have an obligation to take care of them. the fact that 22 of them commit suicide every day, that is probably an underestimate because not all of the states are involved in the gathering of the statistics. you know, that is a row problem and that is just the tip of the iceberg. obviously, we are not providing them with the support mechanisms that they need. what i would propose is that when people volunteer and are accepted into our military, and that is another issue altogether and i will come back to that in a minute. but, they should have an external support group

associated with them which although some throughout their career,ilitary particularly when they are in combat. continues with them after they are discharged for several years. ptsd showst is when up and begins to work on their placement back in society one year before they are discharged so that they leave military on friday and they start work on monday. health andhould have empowerment accounts which are subsidized which allow them to go to any health care facility in the country and we should be delighted to take care of them in depth they want to do to a v8 facility they can but they don't have to. the kind ofovide competition for the v.a. system that will provide improvement because nothing approves when there is no competition, generally speaking. those kinds of things, i think,

would begin to make a real dent. let me just mention what i was talking about with the voluntary army. voluntary military. first of all, the percentage of people applying is down 14%. that is a real danger to us. but here is what is really alarming. 24,tween the ages of 17 and 17 -- 71% of the people who applied for the voluntary military are rejected. either for mental, physical, or educational reasons. the biggest category being educational reasons. so many of them are in capable of passing a basic examination, looking at math skills and communication skills. and, these are people who are all at least graduates of high school. what we have done to hurt ourselves is to dumb down the

requirements. everybody is a winner. everybody is spectacular. what about your craft? you know? [applause] dr. ben carson: and this really, you know that is really hurting us as a nation. the thing that made america into such an amazing country is the can-do attitude. and now we are replacing out what-can-you-do-four-me attitude. it starts early in our schools. it infiltrates our society. i do not believe it is too late to stop. that is why i'm willing to go through people asking me all the time, is it worth going to everything you have to go through? having people attack

your character. attack your family and everything? the answer to that is no. >> thank you. [applause. carson: not if you're doing it for yourself. the answer is a resounding yes if you are doing it for others. [applause] >> my entire professional career oriented around saving children. and giving them an opportunity at life. giving them an opportunity for the quality-of-life. that is the reason for doing this now. recognizing that if we continue along this path, that the american dream is going to be extinguished for this coming behind us. -- for those coming behind us. and i do not see anybody, republicans or democrats, doing anything about it, quite frankly. and, you know i am not a highly partisan person, but i had to be either a democrat or a

republican, i feel, to run. muchthe republicans were closer to my philosophy than the democrats for because my life is also oriented around saving lights and the culture of life, not death. [applause] dr. ben carson: my philosophy was oriented around my role model who is jesus christ. [applause] dr. ben carson: that means i believe the things that are in his words and i do not try to redefine them and change the basis of what morality is. believe, however, that america is a place that is for the people and it is a place where we are to live and let live. i do not think we should never

try to force people to believe the way that we believe, but by the same token, we should not be forced to believe the way they believe. you know, that is really the truth. [applause] dr. ben carson: so, i say all of that to say i am in this. i am not leaving. i am not going anywhere. [applause] dr. ben carson: you know, maybe i should never go home for another change of clothes. [laughter] i. carson: but the way believe, you don't just throw your clothes away and buy a new set. my mother was the master of thrift and she taught that to us. put me god sees fit to

in the presidency, america will learn what thrift is. in the right way. [applause] carson: and, it does not mean that we are going to suffer. it just means we will do things in an efficient way. american people deserve that. and they also deserve honesty and integrity. thank you very much. [applause] candy carson: i just want to come in and say, i am candy carson and i approve this message. that our oldest son is here. i wanted to point that out will you very much. -- i wanted to point that out.

you very much. many people here going door-to-door with you. they're out here doing do with the phone backs. right after this event, folks are heading out there getting doors today. there will also be working all these phone lines. just wanted to give you a little time today to talk to them. carson: we appreciate that. do not let anybody. i do not care who it is. do not let them convince you that i'm going anywhere. [applause] haveen carson: they written my obituary every day for the last week and a half. then they say, he is still here? i cannot believe he is still here. you know, it is not about me. it is about we the people. this whole campaign is about we the people. we are supposed to be at the pinnacle and the government is supposed to be there to serve us.

not the other way around. and i am going to make sure we restore that relationship. thank you. [applause] >> thank you. [conversation] >> it is an honor to meet you and a pleasure. dr. ben carson: thank you. [indiscernible] carson: all right, thank you. hello, how are you? rags these are my children. this is hank. .e want to give you a challenge dr. ben carson: i bet they are good students.

>> they are in a montessori school. so they are doing it well. [indistinct chatter] dr. ben carson: it you have half of the whole groupware. >> i appreciated. dr. ben carson: absolutely. >> good luck. this? i get you to sign dr. ben carson: absolutely. i am going to have to use one of these. >> your wife signed that one.

can i get a picture? dr. ben carson: yes. hi, how are you. absolutely. >> it just knocking on some doors. dr. ben carson: i appreciated. thank you. all right. ok. >> we have to shake cancer. >> how are you? dr. ben carson: nice to meet you. >> i totally think that anybody who does -- chatter] t

>> i cleared my schedule for

this. [indiscernible] carson: thank you. [indistinct chatter]

>> it will make my day. >> thank you very much. [laughter] chatter] t

[indistinct chatter]

announcer: on the next washington journal, a correspondent has the latest from new hampshire as the new hampshire primary approaches. at saint anselm college, we recap saturday night's republican debate. speaker of the house talks about why she is supporting hillary clinton for president. as always, we will take your calls and you can join the conversation. that i sawhe things throughout this entire timeline was that most of the founding fathers and early presidents knew in their minds that slavery was wrong. they knew it. but, they were not willing to inconvenience their own lives to make that come true.

night, andsunday associated press reporter discusses his book. the majority of the founding fathers or became presidents, they were all slave owners and so they would ring in slaves from their plantations. george washington did this. he brought in slaves to new york fromand washington, d.c., mount vernon and they served as the first in a sick staff to the unit dates president. -- they serve this the first domestic staff for the united states president. announcer: governor john kasich boat to volunteers for 10 minutes. [chanting]

applause] >> run, john, run. governor kasich: listen, it gets down to the grass roots now. forarted as a kid running the legislature and i spent a lot of time in people's homes. we called them coffees. now we call them town halls here in new hampshire. we just finished our 100 last night. in doubt our 101st it will be with arnold schwarzenegger and he said, we will go all the way here. he is in terminator mode, just so you all know. listen, this is critical because every single vote matters.

door a perfect day for knocking. i have worn out more shoes knocking on doors than anyone you can imagine but it is what makes a difference, because when people get that smile, that voter contacts, and they have a sense of something special that is how we're going to put this over the top. it?, bizarre isn't very strange to show up there people.so many i can promise you i will continue to do the best i can. i received a beautiful e-mail less eye from a great friend of mine in cleveland, albert radnor , who said, ohio is proud of you. the bar.raised you have kept your wits and integrity about you. i have done that because of all of you and because of my wife and children. listen, folks, this is a movement more than it is a

campaign. we are going to slow down and listen to one another. we are going to shrink the size of the federal government and empower people where we live and all of us together will rebuild our schools, fight the war on drugs, connect with one another, strengthen amylase, we willing to stand with somebody in their victory and somebody in their pain. that is what this is all about. bringing everybody together in america and restoring america from the sense we are all connected. we believe again, we have our spirit back. when that happens, there is no stopping our great country for future generations. so, let's go knock on some doors. [applause] governor kasich: there is my best or knocker, right there. >> thank you. thank you. good luck. devon: we have to get out there and not on doors.

governor k-6: -- kasich: we have to get out there and knock on doors. >> somebody take our picture. thank you. >> let's get knocking on doors. [chanting] >> kasich for us. kasich for us. kasich for us. >> thank you. can we take a picture? [indiscernible chatter]

>> and there we go. thank you, guys. thank you, governor. governor kasich: thank you. first-time voter? there we go. >> thank you. >> we all are. thank you. >> knock them dead tonight, governor. [laughter] >> good luck. we need you. >> good luck. governor kasich: all right. take you all.

-- thank you all. thank you for coming out. [indiscernible] >> thanks. >> governor, how did you feel about the debates? [indiscernible] >> hey, i want to get through here. how are you doing? [indiscernible] >> thank you. >> i came from chicago.

>> thank you. tampa, supporting it. thank you. do well tonight. >> do a little loop here. thank you. >> that you have got to come to the town hall. governor kasich: ok. thank you. thank you very much. >> thank you. good luck. question?sk you a rather runou against, bernie sanders or hillary clinton? governor kasich: it does not matter.

ladies, how are you? governor. nice to meet you. good luck. governor kasich: nice to meet you. >> thank you. >> thank you so much. governor kasich: we are getting there. [indiscernible chatter] >> there we go. >> thank you.

>> i am coming here from san francisco. >> there you go. governor kasich: who is here to take a picture? camera?ave a [indiscernible] >> thank you. >> thank you very much. >> thank you. governor kasich: you are welcome.

[indiscernible] >> here we go. all right. >> thank you. ♪ >> i am voting for bernie

sanders because he is honest and has a good record and cares about the people. i think the election is important to participate in because it is such an historic race. if you do not purchase a pay you did not have a voice. tags i am participating because this year is going to be historic. i wish i could give us the first female president. ♪ announcer: c-span posits steve scully visited the bernie sanders new hampshire for sanders campaign. he wanted to see what motivated them. on this weekend before the primary, we are a couple blocks from downtown manchester. this is the headquarters. we're going to walk inside and

talk to some of the volunteers. your title is volunteer for the volunteers. what is that? tags i am am part of the comfort station. this is the base where volunteers come in, come off the road. i'm here to get organized. they come to talk with people about ernie and so when they come in, when they need a place to regroup, this is where they come. we need to have coffee and sandwiches and donuts and things. so i have to make sure all of that is going and i have to make sure we are doing a good job. particularly, the young people. we have people my age and younger. a wide range of people who are volunteering and that is wonderful.

>> the people who are working, who are actually volunteering and work for bernie work on the campaign. they are the ones who have organized this, it seems to have worked. they know what they are doing. i am part of that. >> you are part of manchester, right? sanders?e >> well, i think for the first time we have got someone who is just saying what a lot of people are thinking. governing our country. that is the overall underpinning of what is going on. rid of that, get

rid of that influence and i think bernie could do that. >> have you been involved in campaigns or is this the first time? went out when i was younger, but not to this extent. for your time. we going to walk around you and go to the canvassing area students talking to from the university of south florida. i want to know why you came and ?hy bernie sanders >> first of all, compared to florida saying how much campaigning there is, why -- the was because i environmental issues.

he is the candidate i believe will help the most. so that is why bernie. you decide to come up here. i am excited to be here. we do not have this experience in florida. we are students of a class called road to the white house. course credit for coming up. and working on campaigns. so i am excited to be here. doing this you afternoon and what are you doing tomorrow? be canvassingll and trying to get people to turn out for the election. >> when you call people and ask them to phone for bernie went is >> we get college

credit which is really nice. workingce to be it's been really fun canvasing and meeting all sorts of people in the area. i don't normally get that kind of exposure in florida. >> there are people going through looking at it through the canvasing area to determine where to go next, which area is targeted and what is left to be done. >> it has the street names, what they are registered as, if they voted in the last election. right now we're in the stage where we're trying to make sure

people know where to vote. >> you're also up here. what is this like? >> it's been really fun so far. we've gotten to all the different events. we've gone to see trump. we've gone to see hillary. we've seen marco rubio. it's just been really interesting so far to see how huge the props esis over all. >> and one more time, why bernie sanders? >> why bernie sanders? i actually, you know, my views of bernie, i really think he is your every day candidate. he is not some big, rich politician but a man of the people. i think he is an honest leader and that is what it boils down to for me. >> you are all volunteers pretty well organized this weekend before the primary? >> oh, yes. a whole system. it's really great. >> what is the system? >> there are signs everywhere so you know where everything is. you walk in. you get greeted.

you've got canvas training over there. then you come in here. you got your packet. you find out where you're going to go. you follow, go out that way. you follow the tape. you go out that way. you pick up some literature to drop off at people's doors. if we need coats or gloves we have them by the door and we head out. >> you like the snow up here? >> yes. i like it. >> love it. >> real change of scenery. >> my first time ever seeing snow. very first time. >> thank you all very much for your time. we appreciate it. > thank you. >> every election cycle will remind us how important it is for citizens to be informed. >> to me c-span is a home for political junkies and a way to track the government as it happens. >> i think it's a gateway. >> there are a lot of c-span fans on the hill. my colleagues will say i saw you on c-span. >> there's so much more that

c-span does to make sure that eople know what's going on inside the beltway. >> now a look at the history of the new hampshire primary. this documentary is courtesy of wmur-tv in manchester, new ampshire, and is 45 minutes. >> it's been a hundred years of tradition. hundred years of close calls. and landslides. >> this is a first. and it sure is the best. >> 100 years of campaigning in the granite state door to door. town halls to diners, back yards to living rooms. >> all of these are vital ingredients in the political process and new hampshire has made it over the years. that in itself is a miracle. >> this will be the first in the nation. nauch. make no mistake about it. >> the primary is important to

the state and to the nation undeniable. >> very critical as a picture for the country. >> it is not good for the country that everything is on we have and -- here people -- >> now perhaps more than ever the new hampshire primary is under attack. >> i've never been more worried about the early primary than i am today. >> what has happened and what may happen? tonight on first in the nation. 00 years of tradition. >> thank you for joining us for a primary anniversary special. for decades candidates come to the secretary of states office in concord to get their names on the new hampshire primary ballots. despite the rich history and tradition of all of this our hold on the primary is tenuous. perhaps more than it ever has been. let's take a lack now though at some of the pressure we've seen

over the years to change the system and the calendar. >> you know, tonight we celebrate. tomorrow we go back to work. no question about it. for a few months every four years new hampshire is the center of the political universe. on election night the eyes of the world are upon us. >> john mccain wins the new hampshire primary. >> tonight we sure showed them what a comeback looks like. >> with that attention comes something else. it is -- it has grown along with the primaries. >> not surprising that there may be some jealousy or envy. >> welcome to the democratic headquarters. glad to have you here. >> terry shoe maker cut his political shots with the bill clinton primary. he was there in 1991 and he was there 24 years later when hillary clinton filed her own paperwork in november. he has seen first hand the chael ention the primary has faced. >> almost every cycle going back to the early 1980's when one or more states decided to

try to move up on us making an argument new hampshire is too small, too northeast, too white, too rural. >> it was only last fall the current governor demanded an apology from fellow democrat harry reid after the senior senator slammed the first in the nation primary. >> you go to new hampshire. there are not any minorities there. nobody lives there. you go to iowa, and there are a few people there but again it took place. >> in 2011 in harry reid's nevada they jumped the calendar by putting the caucus in early january forcing the new hampshire secretary of state to threaten a primary date before christmas. ultimately the boycott of nevada as john hudson was the first in the field to pledge to ignore the state entirely. >> if you are going to boycott nevada for their insane attempt

at leap frogging the primary process which is bad for the people in new hampshire, bad for american democracy, bad for the candidates trying to make some sense out of the pathway forward, you ought to boycott it in total. >> nevada wasn't the first state to try to bump new hampshire only the last. delaware tried to do it twice. >> new hampshire for 70 years has taken pride in the fact that they have been the nation's first primary. delaware wants to play a leading role in the process. >> again, a threat of a candidate boycott was the difference. in 1996 it included sitting president bill clinton. it was a wmur political reporter that passed a note to then governor steve merrell telling him delaware had lost. >> exciting gnaws from the new hampshire primary front. >> he also correctly predicted candidates steve forbes and phil graham would pay for failing to join the boycott to defend the new hampshire primary. >> it is clear those who try to change the primary dates or process for their own personal reasons will not prevail.

>> we are here to stand. shoulder to shoulder with our friends in new hampshire. >> the new hampshire only stands a chance to yet again serve an important role in the american democracy by letting the candidates learn from us as well as we learn from the candidates. >> in fact, it was former state rep jim splaine who authored the 1975 law that requires the new hampshire primary be held at least seven days before any other similar contest. for that reason secretary gardner said new hampshire will always be first. the candidates have to realize and value what voters have -- what voters here have to offer. >> as voters, as residents, as members of the media to give them the opportunity to make their case in our living rooms, on our streets, and in meeting rooms. >> when they come to new hampshire, their experience -- >> i just placed a phone call to my friend john mccain. >> i want to congratulate

senator clinton on a hard fought victory here in new hampshire. >> they went through it. they understand the value. they understand they're connecting with real voters, hearing what they're concerned with, not what the national pundits think the concerns ought to be. not what some focus group in washington says their concerns ought to be but what their real concerns are here on the ground. >> all right. i am joined now by two people who are very involved in new hampshire politics. one rene plumber and two eddie everetts. thanks for joining us. we talked about the new hampshire primary and all the challenges it faces. a lot of people say bill gardner's got this. that couldn't be further from the truth. how important is it that we are collectively engaged? >> when you think of new hampshire you think of a few things. general john stark live free or die and then you think of the new hampshire primary. it is vital. it is so important that we keep this here and like you said a hundred years. what do we do when this goes away? and you know every other state wants this. and i don't want it to leave. this is new hampshire.

>> we just heard about people who criticized the diversity of new hampshire, eddie, and that's an argument we've heard a lot, but you have an interesting counterpoint to make. >> absolutely. i think new hampshire has the type of diversity that matters. that's political diversity. that is what people are selecting. based upon your political ideology is what new hampshire has. not your racial views on public policy but your political ideology. that's the type of diversity new hampshire has. we have that better than anyone else. >> go ahead. you wanted to jump in. >> what i am very nervous about with the primary now is the d.n.c., the r.n.c., then the national media. it seems that they want to take the control away from us. we have to be real careful. i don't think the people in new hampshire realize how important this is if we lose it. >> obviously this is a generational fight for new hampshire. i mean, our people, the next generation, the younger voters

engaged in the way that you guys are? >> absolutely. i think they have to be. i think as rene said new hampshire is the spirit where we believe in freedom and opportunity. we 'vette your character when you come to new hampshire. that is important. you can't get that type of vetting anyplace else. that's why folks at the national level whether a national republican party or national democratic party, they want to take it out of here because you can't control the process of new hampshire. if you're going to speak to people, people have freedom of speech, people practice their individual thoughts and they'll challenge you in a way that you won't be challenged anyplace else. that is scary for people who used to be able to control messages. >> well, you know what? new hampshire will always be first, state law. but the question is will it always matter? engagement is the key point you're trying to make. >> we have, i mean, as far as voting for the people here in new hampshire, we are one of the highest for the state in the country for our voting. >> turnout is important. got to keep it that way. all right, guys. thanks very much.

>> thank you. >> first in the nation granite staters really take pride in vetting presidential candidates and do it in a way no other group of people can really offer. joining me now wmur political reporter adam sexton with more on how the voters really seem towns the role this of process. >> there is tradition here but at the core of that are voters themselves. steeped in a political culture of town meetings and driven by the belief that government should be as close to the eople as possible. >> the granite state. they got to come here. >> the road to the white house begins on new hampshire's main streets. but why? why is it that a small, new england state plays such an outsized role in deciding who becomes president? we decided to ask the voters, themselves. >> i think we're leaders within the nation and i really enjoy the fact that we bring up the uestions and the points that

really need to be discussed. >> granite staters want more than just bumper stickers. they want access to the candidates. >> there are jokes about if i haven't met them three times how die know if i should vote for them? but really it gives really need to be you an inside window to how candidates act. >> for many in new hampshire automated phone calls and campaign ads are just bull. there isn't any human contact or look 'em -- look in the person's eyes. >> it is not always about what is on the media. if you can go and see them in person, it is great we have the opportunity in new hampshire. you can get to know more about them. >> here the old ways survive like a good old fashioned yankee ability to sign people up. >> i like to get a feel for whether they're really genuine and passionate about what they're doing. and whether they're nice. >> not every granite stater is a fan of the primary. some think the idea that new hampshire has a knack for spotting leadership is just spin. >> i'm not convinced that we're so good at picking presidents. i'm not sure we're so different. i think it is probably related

to tradition. >> sometimes it gets carried to extremes. >> true believers point to the nature of citizenship here, the importance of the town meetings. >> i think we feel we're responsible for what goes on in our town. >> new hampshire voters are personal, on the small town. they know the trustees at the cemetery, you know. my e expect that, look in eyes and tell me what you really mean. >> the result? an electorate unimpressed by titles or political acclaim. people quite willing to challenge those seeking to lead the free world. >> kind of the way we are, you know. born and raised in small communities. you're not afraid to talk to your neighbor. you please, so you just kind of treat those guys the same way. >> a lot of the wanna-bes, because i think new england people in general kind of see

through a lot of the curtains they have up. >> a lot of the candidates go to individual homes so you can get a one-on-one perspective of what they're doing instead of going to a large auditorium. >> in a country plagued by voter apathy new hampshire is tirelessly engaged and well aware of the responsibility that comes with being first in the nation. >> i think it's a privilege. >> if you're not involved you can't complain about the results. >> from big rallies to intimate house parties, the granite state campaign trail includes a variety of stops. we'll show you the events that give voters unique access to candidates, plus there are few candidates who have mastered the modern primary the way former president bill clinton and senator john mccain have. the qualities that made them so successful here.

>> welcome back. obviously campaigning in new hampshire is about much more than just holding a few big rallies. the candidates spend their time walking down main street talking one-on-one at small, intimate house parties and eating at diners just like this one. the red arrow in manchester. here's wmur's adam sexton again with more on the importance of grass roots campaigning granite state style. >> you're the candidate and the easiest way to meet people in the granite state is by simply walking down the street. if you get mobbed, that's a good sign. >> put the beans in there. >> yes. >> all right. >> stop by the country store but don't just wander around. introduce yourself. jimmy carter did that in 1975 and the rest is history. >> he came up in back of me and he said, good morning, mr.

robie. i'm jimmy carter and i'm running for president of the united states. i turned around quick and looked at him and said jimmy who? >> pop in for meet and greet at any of the diners like this one where presidential politics is always on the menu. >> this is where the politicians meet the real people. >> you probably need to march in a parade and if that doesn't work out you can try to make one of your own. be sure to stop by a classroom, a college campus, and don't try too hard to impress us. that can very easily go wrong. >> ah! >> next up, the house parties. before you can shine on the national stage, you've got to do it in somebody's living room. but these days it's getting harder and harder to maintain an intimate setting. >> we had them packed in. almost hanging from the rafters but not quite. >> if you hold a town hall meeting, be ready to listen. eventually, it's time to go big or go home. bring your famous friend and an

overflow crowd of granite staters and hope they don't all change their mind in the voting booth. ♪ >> you know, champions of the new hampshire primary often point to the granite state voters as the greatest asset. they take part in the town hall and do the diner stops but there is always a new generation of voters who learn first hand who learn what it is like to take part in the first in the nation primary. >> they may have decades between them but voters dedication to the grass roots tradition of the new hampshire primary appears to be as timeless as ever. >> it has developed into something really special and unique. i am definitely excited to be in this state when this is all happening. >> i got to eat with the president of the united states. one of these people are going to be president and that is overwhelming. >> leonard and caroline have lived through many new hampshire primaries. they often sit in on our candidate cafe series and use

that unique one-on-one time to really feel someone out. >> this is the only way you really get the chance to hear a candidate more than once, to know whether they're changing their mind or whether they're -- whether it is a canned speech or what they really believe in. some of the newest primary voters are learning how the process worked and how it changed. >> one of the questions we have to ask is does online politicking get more people to take part? >> inside st. and sempervivum college's new hampshire primary class a discussion on how candidates reach voters. come february many of the students will take the classroom experience straight to the voting booth. >> it's exciting. kind of like a next step in life and an opportunity to have my voice be heard. >> years after getting her first taste of the new hampshire primary process priscilla mills now sees the election through the eyes of a small business owner. her vote will be earned by the

candidate who can best cover the needs of her current lifestyle. >> you change the person and so you're vote -- your voting should change as well you would think as you change as a person. that's how it is for me every time i'm going through something different or, you know, like this, starting a business, so now my outlook is different. >> coming up, combined, the veteran journalists have covered nearly two dozen new hampshire primaries and hundreds of candidates. the changes they've noticed in the first in the nation state. and getting the most votes doesn't always guarantee a candidate is considered the primary winner. the election night victories that aren't remembered that way.

>> how's the gravy? >> delicious. >> they look good. through the years presidential candidates come and go but one of the constants are the journalists who remain persistent and engaged and come into places like this for obvious reasons. gene introduces us to those who covered the granite state primaries for decades. >> if you want a snap shot of the new hampshire primary, just look through the lens of associated press photographer jim cole. he's been preserving the primaries frame by frame for decades. >> this makes 11. i started with ronald reagan, howard baker, george bush. >> did we mention he has a photographic memory? he picked up the camera at 14 with a childhood dream to be published in "life" magazine. he's done that three times. now he's focused on this primary. known for capturing the extraordinary moment out on the campaign trail. jeb bush stretching before a

campaign event. chris christie staring down a bull. >> one thing i always try and do is come up with something that is more new hampshire primary than not. do i have great shots of all of them? no. not yet. >> covered just about everyone who has run for the last 30 something years. >> wmur political reporter john distaso is considered the most experienced political writer in the state and is moving into double digit primary territory. his will be his tenth. >> and on to the democratic convention. >> so many memories of a candidate. >> he is noticing more of a national press presence and how technology is speeding up the political presses. >> it is so much different now because of social media, because of the internet, because of the constant dead lanse.

there is no deadline and yet every minute is a deadline. >> candidates for president -- >> i think new hampshire has been a very interesting phenomenon to watch over the decades. >> cokie roberts with abc news has covered her share of primaries and sees a trend in recent cycles. >> the old days you'd come up and it was a lone candidate wandering into coffee shops and talking to individuals. now it tends to be a huge staff and cameras following everyone around. >> on the hunt for that perfect primary moment. >> i've never been more worried about the early primary states than i am today. >> coming up the threat to new hampshire's first in the nation status. the alternative primary plans that have been pitched and the effect they might have on the way candidates campaign.

>> 100 years after ballots were cast in new hampshire's first presidential primaries the tradition under fire again. despite recognition of its importance from many. >> i like new hampshire. you have to be -- >> and now the duty to protect it is being passed on from the former guardians. >> this is it every four years. you have to work at it. if you don't work at it you're going to lose. >> to the new protectors of the primary. >> in the end elections are about the voters. and new hampshire brings that front and center. that's why it is important that we continue. >> continuing with something that made new hampshire so special as we now continue with first in the nation. 100 years of tradition. >> welcome that to first in the nation.

for the past half hour, we have been talking about how important the new hampshire primary is and has been to the granite state and how it's also under attack. more on what it would mean if the thing became regionalized for a national election and why so many people here are dedicated to defending you. >> i don't mean to denigrate new hampshire or iowa but they shouldn't be the ones choosing. >> we know how harry reid feels but by the testimony of the candidates themselves, there is real concern the new hampshire primary is under direct threat. >> i've never been more worried about the early primary states. >> there are voices in washington that are arguing for getting rid of new hampshire's first in the nation status and that is lunacy. >> the voices are real and they are getting louder. last fall, the alkaline chairman of the are in -- rnc caused a stir.

he said he was open to the idea of regional primaries. the idea breaks the country into quarters. they would rotate with each election cycle. many believe it would completely change the complexion of the presidential race. >> i may not have $1 billion in my pocket. >> one there are national or regional primaries, the big money in politics shines, not the individual voter like in new hampshire. national parties who want to regain that power would much rather have that power rest with them and with the big money people in politics and with the candidates picked by the establishment. new hampshire supports that and does a good job at it. >> in a regional primary setting, intimate house parties would likely be a thing of the past. unscheduled diner stops would

morph into stage photo ops and the that things that come with the rigors of townhall meetings what be replaced with big-time act rallies built on flash over substance. voters also seem to know when it's time to get down to business. >> new hampshire voters are coming out because they are doing a civic duty. they are trying to ask the tough questions and that's good for the american process, the other 49 states. >> to really understand new hampshire's role, we need to go back to what harry reid said. obviously, no one has ever been sworn in right after winning the new hampshire primary and history shows it's no lock to the white house. >> remind everyone politics isn't a game. >> new hampshire does do is prepare candidates to make their case to the rest of the country. >> he made it clear that at this