New Hampshire Open Thread: Take Nothing For Granite

Discuss the results here if you like.

I should say, since some people have confused my attempts to analyze the shape of the race with normative or prescriptive arguments, that I agree entirely with this:

Why do journalists insist upon reifying the power of IA and NH that they themselves invented? Why not just calm down and wait for some larger more diverse states to vote? https://t.co/um5n7G6eRW— Ben Adler (@badler) February 11, 2020

My view is that it’s too early for preemptive strategic voting (or, perhaps more to the point, strategic giving or volunteering.) That the Iowa and New Hampshire effect is a media construction doesn’t mean the effects aren’t real, but stick by your favorite candidate if they’re still in the race tomorrow if you want. After Super Tuesday, it might be worth discussing whether to consolidate behind a top factional candidate depending on your faction, but it’s not necessary right now. I think Bernie’s the favorite right now but if I were eligible to vote in New Hampshire or a Super Tuesday state I would vote for Warren, and if she’s your top choice on the merits you should too.

Also, more on this tomorrow, but really don’t support Michael Bloomberg in the primaries under any circumstances that don’t involve every candidate but Tulsi dying in a tragic blimp accident:

Look, I get it if you think Bernie’s supporters are annoying or problematic, particularly if like me you spend way too much time on twitter, but if you even entertain the notion that Bloomberg, a racist Republican billionaire, is preferable to Bernie, you’ve proven them right— Proud Bloomberg Disliker (@MenshevikM) February 10, 2020

…if Andrew Yang had any supporters, however, they’re free to go elsewhere. Give him this, there were worse vanity candidates in the Dem primaries this cycle.