Yesterday, the Vivek Ramaswamy For President Campaign held a number of events in NH, mostly in the Seacoast area. However, that swing ended last night at Murphy’s Taproom in Manchester, NH.
Abbreviated by the incoming storm, there were three opening speakers: myself (Skip Murphy), long-time conservative activist Karen Testerman, and former candidate for US Senate Jeremy Kauffman.
A later set of videos will have the panel discussion with Vivek Ramaswamy and Drew Cline.
Quite a few Groksters showed up as well. I knew that Mike was going to be there with camera, but Stephen and Beth Scaer, Ken Erying, Tom Murray, Chris Maidment, and given the surprise applause when I spoke, quite a few of our readers attended as well. In fact, there were well over 100 that were in the room when I decided to do a room count. Not bad, given the storm, highly touted by WMUR all week, was imminent to start in Manchester.
I did a quick poll of the Groksters in attendance. All of them, on a snapshot “good or otherwise” question, said “yes.” No one is endorsing anyone yet. After all (spoken in a true traditional NH backwoods twang from two old-timers who are masters in the NH First In The Nation tradition and mores):
Ebenezer: Well, Jebediah, whatcha think of this new feller we just saw last night
Jebediah: Well, Ebenezah, don’t know just yet. Only met him 5 times so fah.
And that is the traditional NH norm in evaluating candidates. Sure, there will be some in NH that will immediately say “yep, that’s the one for me!” right off the bat. Most, I’ve learned, play it a bit cagey and want to hear more and ask a lot of questions. All of the candidates had better learn that while events like this are fine, they need to do house parties where they will get a REAL grilling.
