ON POLITICS

From Ike to the Clintons: New Hampshire primary greatest hits

David M Jackson
USA TODAY

NASHUA, N.H. — This is the state where the backers of Dwight Eisenhower proved his political strength. It's the state that forced the withdrawal of President Lyndon Johnson and where Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton made career-saving comebacks.

The New Hampshire primary has a granite-solid place in American political history, building up some candidates and tearing down others.

Its mystique is the residue of many primaries past.

Here are some of the state's most memorable primary moments:

March 11, 1952
They liked Ike

Delegations of Eisenhower supporters from Massachusetts and New Hampshire whoop it up at Boston's South Station on Feb. 8, 1952.

Supporters of the World War II general — who was wavering on whether to seek the presidency — got Ike's name onto the ballot in New Hampshire to demonstrate his political strength. It worked . Eisenhower easily defeated conservative stalwart Robert Taft in the New Hampshire primary en route to the Republican nomination.

March 12, 1968
Clean For Gene

Eugene McCarthy is shown in this March 12, 1968, file photo as he talks to campaign workers and the press at his Bedford, N.H., campaign headquarters.

No, Eugene McCarthy did not win the New Hampshire Democratic primary in 1968. But the anti-Vietnam War senator from Minnesota — backed by legions of young people who shaved and cut their hair to canvass neighborhoods — finished a close second to President Lyndon Johnson. McCarthy's showing encouraged Sen. Robert Kennedy to enter the Democratic presidential race. Less than a month later, Johnson announced he would not seek re-election.

March 7, 1972
Muskie's alleged tears

Edmund Muskie gives an emotional speech denouncing Union Leader publisher William Loeb in front of the newspaper's Manchester, N.H., building on Feb. 26, 1972.

Winners aren't always winners in New Hampshire. Edmund Muskie, the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 1968 and the favorite for the top spot four years later, did win the Granite State primary in 1972. But a narrow margin over George McGovern weakened Muskie's campaign, and McGovern would eventually claim the nomination. Then there's the alleged crying incident: Muskie supposedly shed tears over newspaper editorial attacks on his wife; others said it was snow on his face.

Feb. 24, 1976
Ford holds off Reagan

Ronald Reagan, and his wife, Nancy, deplane at Manchester, N.H., on Feb. 24, 1976 to head to Concord and wait for the results of the New Hampshire primary.

The New Hampshire primary can rescue struggling politicians, even sitting presidents. Gerald Ford, who replaced the resigned Richard Nixon in 1974, faced a tough primary challenge in 1976 from conservative star Ronald Reagan. Thanks to some Reagan blunders, Ford eked out a close win in New Hampshire that probably saved his candidacy (though he lost the general election to another New Hampshire winner, Jimmy Carter).

Feb. 24, 1976
Jimmy Carter makes a name for himself

Jimmy Carter reaches out to supporters in Manchester, N.H., on Feb. 25, 1976, after he was named the winner of the New Hampshire Democratic primary.

The former governor of Georgia received more support than any other candidate in the Iowa caucuses, but against little competition. In New Hampshire, however, Carter beat a crowded Democratic field, establishing himself as a major contender for the White House he would eventually claim. After New Hampshire, no one asked "Jimmy Who?"

Feb. 26, 1980
The Return of the Gipper

Ronald Reagan stares back at John Anderson, Howard Baker, Bob Dole and Phil Crane on Feb. 23, 1980, after the crowd asked that Reagan's mike be turned off and the other candidates cheered.

As reported, New Hampshire can make or break candidates — sometimes the same candidate. Having lost to Ford four years earlier, and having lost the Iowa caucuses in 1980 to George H.W. Bush, Reagan mounted a big comeback in New Hampshire that included an iconic moment: At the start of a debate financed by his campaign, Reagan demanded the inclusion of other candidates besides Bush, famously declaring, "I am paying for this microphone!"

Feb. 16, 1988
Bush comes back

George H.W. Bush holds a pistol on Feb. 2, 1988, during a forum sponsored by the Gun Owners of New Hampshire to illustrate his point that the right to bear arms must be balanced against the public good.

Vice President George H.W. Bush struggled early in his 1988 presidential campaign, losing the Iowa caucuses to Bob Dole. That necessitated a furious comeback by Bush against the surging Kansas senator, including a famous event in which Bush drove a snow plow at a truck stop. A memorable incident: During a primary night television interview, Dole said Bush should "stop lying about my record!"

Feb. 18, 1992
Clinton: Until the last dog dies

Bill Clinton gives a thumbs-up on Feb. 13, 1992, during his appearance at rally in Dover, N.H.

Bill Clinton survived New Hampshire on his way to the White House. Beset with allegations of infidelity and draft dodging, Clinton fought back in the state, telling voters at one point that "I'll be there for you til the last dog dies." Clinton actually finished second — to Paul Tsongas, a former senator from neighboring Massachusetts — but refined the art of declaring victory even if you don't win.

Feb. 20, 1996
Buchanan's populist revolt

Pat Buchanan and his wife Shelley, left, react to the early television results of the New Hampshire primary from his hotel room on Feb. 20, 1996, in Manchester, N.H.

Former speechwriter and political pundit Pat Buchanan ran a neo-populist campaign that focused on immigration and attacks on Republican establishment, themes that still resonate in 2016. Establishment candidates Bob Dole and Lamar Alexander essentially split the establishment vote, enabling Buchanan to slip through with a narrow win. Dole went on to win the GOP nomination in 1996, but lost the general election to President Clinton.

Feb. 1, 2000, and Jan. 8, 2008
John McCain and the Straight Talk Express

John McCain and his wife, Cindy, smile as confetti falls on them at the end of their 114th New Hampshire town hall meeting with voters at the Peterborough Town House in Peterborough, N.H.

In many ways, McCain reflects the promise of the New Hampshire primary. The Arizona senator practically moved to the state in 2000, holding town halls and rolling across the landscape in a bus he dubbed the Straight Talk Express. He easily beat the better-funded George W. Bush, but lost the Republican nomination to the future president.

Eight years later, not long after his campaign nearly melted down, McCain returned to the Granite State and mounted another town hall-type campaign. He won again — beating a New Hampshire neighbor, ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney — and this time went on to claim the GOP nomination, losing to Barack Obama in the general election.

Jan. 8, 2008
Another Clinton comeback (Hillary version)

Supporters cheer as Hillary Rodham Clinton takes the stage in Manchester, N.H., on Jan. 8, 2008, after her Democratic primary win.

New Hampshire voters decide late and often surprise. Barack Obama, coming off a win in Iowa that ignited his presidential bid, led many pre-primary polls in New Hampshire. But Hillary Clinton, with a high-intensity campaign reminiscent of her husband, pulled out a win, prolonging that year's Democratic battle.