Wash staffBy Jordan Young and Isabelle Kravis
Laura Dowling and George Edwards were dining at The Peddler鈥檚 Daughter, a locally owned Irish pub filled with patrons. While they were waiting for their food, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley came through the doors with Gov. Chris Sununu to pour beers and talk to voters.
Dowling and Edwards, registered Independents, said they leaned toward supporting Haley but had yet to learn that she would appear during their dinner.
鈥淚鈥檝e lived in New Hampshire for at least 40 years, and the thing that I really like about it is that we do get to see the candidates,鈥� Dowling said. 鈥淲e get to have that interaction, and to me, that means a lot. You鈥檝e got that reality there rather than just seeing them on TV, and it鈥檚 a small enough place that we can do that.鈥�
The former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations seemed relaxed as she served guests and blew out the candles on a surprise birthday cake the campaign staff had hidden behind the bar.
鈥淎ll you have to do is just kind of give her some space,鈥� said Jacob Adams, one of the volunteers with her campaign. 鈥淟et her take the reins, let her walk around, meet people, and that鈥檚 the best way 鈥� to almost have that hands-off approach and let her do what she wants.鈥�
The pub manager Margaret Conneely said these events are 鈥渓ike religion鈥� in New Hampshire.
鈥淚 think because there鈥檚 so much energy around political events in New Hampshire 鈥� that there鈥檚 particular emphasizing and excitement about election season,鈥� Conneely said.
Cathie Johnson was eating lunch at Backyard Brewery and Kitchen in Manchester two days later when Haley stopped in.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really fun to be here, but 鈥� at the end of the day, you are gonna look at the candidates and your beliefs, and you鈥檙e gonna just line up with whoever,鈥� Johnson said.
But Dowling considers these stops essential to New Hampshire鈥檚 political culture.
鈥淚 honestly think it makes a huge difference,鈥� Dowling said. 鈥淚 think that [when] you鈥檙e in a big city, you don鈥檛 have that opportunity.鈥�
Adams agreed that the personal touch meant something and said Trump wouldn鈥檛 walk around and talk to people individually. 鈥淵ou know, that personal, loving touch, [you] just don鈥檛 see from them,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd I think that benefits her greatly.鈥�
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