10:30 a.m.

National political reporter Joel Achenbach is set loose on the Granite State to chronicle the New Hampshire primary.

10:30 a.m.

NASHUA -- No real campaigning today, just photo ops, street demonstrations, chanting, speculation and prayers. We have again hazarded the future of the country to actual citizens, which is the mark of a mature democracy, but with the large asterisk that only the citizens of a small New England state get to decide. It's like near beer: not entirely satisfying, but better than nothing.

Eager to get back home, a campaign trail scribbler nonetheless must confess a certain disappointment with this year's New Hampshire primary. Secretary of State Bill Gardner may have made the wrong decision about the date. By state law, he had to set it at least seven days prior to any "similar election." In his judgment, Michigan's Jan. 15 primary is a similar election.

But the Jan. 8 date gave New Hampshire only four full days of campaigning after the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses. It's all been a mad dash without much of a story line other than Obamamania (if someone reports that he walked on water, please note that it is because the lakes are frozen). Gardner could have said that Michigan is not really "similar," because the Democrats are skipping it. He could have set the primary for Jan. 10. People are capable of voting on a Thursday.

Back to the contest at hand: John McCain's bus just pulled into a polling place on Broad Street, and McCain dived into the media scrum and disappeared from sight. It is possible that he was devoured by camera people; later I'll look for the bones.

Off to the side stood a white-haired gentleman holding a "McCain" placard. But this was no ordinary volunteer -- it was Fred Malek, the big-cheese Republican (and would-be Washington Nationals owner). He said he's co-chairman of McCain's campaign. "Chairman" is often a somewhat honorary title in a presidential operation.

"I finally found my proper role in the campaign -- sign carrier," Malek said. His wife, Marlene, was on sign duty, as well. "I'd do anything for John McCain," she said.

Mr. Malek predicted a McCain win today and huge momentum.

"He doesn't have to win Michigan" -- Mitt Romney has a native-state advantage there -- "but I think he will. You can't underestimate the momentum that's going to be generated by a victory here."

Does McCain have enough money to compete in the large states?

"It's picking up. Nothing like a little success to open the money faucets."