There's an old joke in New Hampshire politics that is often used to sum up the relationship between voters in this New England state and would-be presidents.

The joke goes something like this:
A candidate walks into a town hall and approaches a voter she recognizes from a previous meeting. A pleasant exchange ensues: question, answer, laugh, smile. As the candidate reaches out to shake the voter's hand she asks if she can count on his support. "Well I don't know," the voter pauses. "I've only met you three times."

The joke isn't a barn-burner, we know, but it is useful in understanding why candidates invest the time and money to attend events on college campuses, diners, people's living rooms and street festivals all over New Hampshire.

In this video, washingtonpost.com's Ben de la Cruz and Ryan Thornburg traveled to New Hampshire for four days to capture some of the voters and places that make the site of the nation's first primary unique.

Interviews:
Bill Andreoli Jr., co-owner Mary Ann's Diner in Derry, N.H.
George Todgham, undecided voter from Nashua, N.H.
Beth Todgham, undecided voter from Nashua, N.H.
Andy Mack, a life-long Republican and undecided voter from Londonderry, N.H.

Run time 9:06



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