PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — New Hampshire Democrats are rallying around Joe Biden in their beloved primary, despite their lingering resentment over his attempt to change it last year.
Former state Democratic Party Chair Kathy Sullivan, now running a pro-Biden super PAC, expressed her conflicting feelings, saying, “I love Joe Biden, I think he’s just been a great president. Having said that, I’m still pissed. But you compartmentalize that. You just put that aside.”
Despite Biden’s attempt to end New Hampshire’s long-standing tradition as the first presidential primary state, his supporters are running a unique and budget-constrained write-in campaign for him, aiming to help him win a contest in which he technically isn’t competing, and one he would prefer didn’t exist.
New Hampshire, fiercely protective of its primary status, defiantly scheduled its primary as usual after Iowa’s caucuses, essentially disregarding the DNC’s directives and even threatening legal action.
For Biden, the situation is peculiar and challenging. He cannot officially compete in the primary and did not put his name on the ballot. But his performance against weak opposition will still be seen as a measure of his political strength at a time when Democrats are already concerned about his campaign.
Despite initial reluctance, New Hampshire Democrats realized they would need to support Biden, even after his attempt to change their primary, in order to help the president succeed.