At Webster Elementary School in Manchester's first Ward, the scene was one of semi-organized chaos, with supporters campaigning and shouting while media outlets from across the world sprawled across the lawn.
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Less than 24 hours before assailing the press on CNN for their overwhelming activity in New Hampshire, Paul again stared into a reporter's lens at Webster Elementary School on Tuesday. (Photo by Brian Canova)
MANCHESTER, N.H. - As voters across New Hampshire steadily took to the polls on Tuesday for the country's first-in-the-nation Primary, they were met with a barrage of campaign messages from supporters of the candidates as well as a cavalcade of news people from organizations around the world.
At Webster Elementary School in Manchester's first Ward, the scene was one of semi-organized chaos, with citizens campaigning and shouting while reporters and news cameras were sprawled across the lawn.
"This is bizarre," said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as he was blitzed by journalists during a visit to the precinct on Tuesday. "This is like being in New Orleans at Mardi Gras. This particular media spread is pretty intense."
Despite the circus-like atmosphere created by the abundance of attention on the election, voters from the city's first ward bravely made their way into the school to cast their ballots.
"Mitt Romney has the executive experience we need in the Executive Branch of government," said Frank Bartlett, a Manchester man who relocated from Burlington, Mass. a few years back.
Bartlett said that the attacks on Romney's position with Bain Capital, an asset-management firm which Romney served as CEO, have not persuaded him at all.
"He better get used to the attacks," Bartlett said. "There will be much worse ones coming from the Democrats in a couple months."
When asked why he migrated to New Hampshire from the Bay State, Bartlett said "Michael Dukakis chased us out of there a long time ago."
Gingrich was the candidate of choice for an 80-something-year-old Manchester resident who only identified herself as Donna.
"I've seen him speak a couple times now and I was very impressed by him," she said. "To me, he is a no-nonsense candidate. I like his 'give em' hell attitude.' He is the best hope we have of getting out of this mess and he can't be any worse than who we have in there now."
Undeclared voter Debi Rapson, a 55-year-old high school art and graphic design teacher, said former Utah Gov. Jon Hunstman earned her vote because "He's the only (candidate) who has education front and center on his website."
Rapson said she started leaning towards Hunstman at the end of last week for his positions on education and the economy, but solidified her decision because of his experience working with China, which she learned about during Saturday night's debate.
Huntsman's background also favored well with Manchester voters Lorraine and Frank Dabrowski who said his character and background as ambassador to China were qualities they considered important looking forward in the next four years.
MANCHESTER, N.H. - In Webster Elementary School was a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere contrasted by the circus of supporters and reporters lingering on the other side of the door. (Photo by Brian Canova)
Texas Rep. Ron Paul is the candidate of choice for Manchester resident Cindy Beeson, who said she relocated to New England from Oregon about 12 years ago.
"Ron Paul is just the best candidate to represent American values," she said. "His values are consistent with mine and he can't do a worse job than our current leader."
Michael Ford, a 21-year-old college student also said he was supporting Texas Rep. Paul for his values as well as his policy.
"He has the most consistent history as a conservative voter," Ford said. "In 30 years, he never voted for one tax increase and he voted against the war in Iraq. He voted against the bank bailouts. And his ideas about civil liberties, which are often misconstrued by the media, are what's best for this country."
Not all the voters approached at polling places were eager to speak with a journalist.
As one reporter said hello in passing to a woman exiting the polling place.
She said "I hate you. Get out of our state."
The frustration with the large number of journalists present at campaign events as well as the polling places was an issue with some candidates as well.
Paul, during a visit to Webster Elementary School was mobbed by a barrage of journalists as a black Chevy Suburban pulled up with the candidate inside.
Manchester police organized the chaos to a degree, but the scene was described as "crazy" by a reporter who said he had just returned from an assignment in Iraq.
During a visit to Moe and Joes diner on Monday, Paul became frustrated with the level of media attention he's been receiving in the Granite State, lashing out at CNN's Dana Bash during an interview.
Paul was scheduled to sit and eat breakfast at the diner but his campaign said that the media created an unsafe situation and he was forced to leave abruptly after only 15 minutes.
A New Hampshire woman who said she brought her 90-year-old mother to meet Paul was angered at the Texas Republican for leaving. When the Presidential hopeful was asked about it by Bash, he responded with anger of his own.
"You the media did that to her, she should have been furious with you," he told CNN.
Polls across the Granite State close at 7 p.m. with results expected to be rolling in throughout the evening.
Reporter Brian Canova contributed to this report.
Stick with MassLive.com as reporters Robert Rizzuto & Brian Canova bring you the latest news from the New Hampshire Primary.