Date of N.H. primary rests with one man

Gardner is a New Hampshire native who earned a degree in zoology - at the University of Hampshire in 1970 - an interest kindled by his grandfather's chickens. He was living in Manchester, where he still lives, finishing a master's degree in history when he was elected to New Hampshire's 400-member House two years later.

Protecting the American Dream
In 1976, the Republican-dominated Legislature elected Gardner, then 28, secretary of state. The first Democrat to hold the office in 50 years, he has won re-election every two years since with support from both parties.

His two passions in life are history and making sure that, at least in New Hampshire, the presidential candidates with the most fame or money don't squeeze out the unknowns. He cites Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter, who got more support than any other candidate in the Iowa caucuses except undecided, won an upset in New Hampshire and went on to win the presidency in 1976.

To Gardner, the primary is about giving anyone who pays the $1,000 filing fee a chance to connect with voters.

"It keeps the dream alive that anyone can grow up here (in the United States) and be president," Gardner said.

With the first votes in the 2008 nominating contests only a few months away - if that - many want Gardner to stop dreaming and act. That feeling is especially strong in Iowa, which can't make a firm commitment on the dates for its caucuses - traditionally the first nominating contests - until Gardner acts.

"The bottom line is, I don't know what the benefit is for him not to make a decision. No matter what happens, Iowa is going to be the first in the nation, period," said Ray Hoffman, Iowa's state Republican chairman. "You just prolong the agony."

Bipartisan support
Few in New Hampshire are pressuring Gardner.

"I trust him completely," said Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat.

"My only conversation with him is, 'You decide when you feel is the right time. Let us know the date,'" said state Democratic Chairman Raymond Buckley. "If we're seated at the convention, fine. If we're not, fine," he said, a reference to possible party penalties.

And it's not just Democrats. Charlie Arlinghaus, a former state Republican executive director, calls Gardner uniquely qualified for this high-stakes game of chicken with other states.

"He's very pleasant. He's conversational, but he's inscrutable," said Arlinghaus, head of a conservative think tank. "If you try to pump him for information, it's like talking to a tree."

But even in New Hampshire, patience and trust have their limits. Sullivan, the former Democratic chairwoman, recalls being caught off-guard in August when South Carolina's GOP chairman, with Gardner at his side, moved the South Carolina Republican primary two weeks earlier.

"It was a big surprise to everyone I had spoken to," Sullivan said.

And Sullivan is mortified by the possibility that Gardner will schedule the primary for December. "To me, that would be the death knell for New Hampshire going first" after 2008 because the state's officials would appear as "pretty arrogant people who only care about New Hampshire."

Tom Rath, a former Republican National Committeeman and state GOP chairman, also opposes voting in December.

"Whatever we do," he said, "we need to demonstrate we're acting in the best interest of everyone, not just New Hampshire."

Picking the president: The candidates Click to visit that candidate's MSNBC page or click the XML symbol for an RSS feed. John McCain                Barack Obama

MORE FROM

Section Front

Obama campaign head gets big book deal Officials turn down Franken request Joe the Plumber to become war correspondent Franken lead at 49 with absentees left to count Minn. Senate winner won't be known in 2008 First Read: 'Twas the seventh week of recount... Franken opens first lead in Minn. Senate race Mom of Palin daughter's boyfriend arrested Minn. court weighs rejected absentee ballots Minnesota panel reviews disputed ballots Section Front   Add headlines to your news reader: