New Hampshire campaign

MINNEAPOLIS--U.S. Sen. John McCain's campaign is building their grassroots operation in New Hampshire, according to the New England regional campaign manager.

"We're very strong, we're making tens-of-thousands of calls a day," Jim Barnett said in an interview with PolitickerNH.com. "We have town chairs throughout the state and in some towns we have more than one chair. We've got a strong coalitions outreach effort and we're reaching out to voters."

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Mike Duncan is scheduled to visit the Granite State on Friday August 1, PolitickerNH.com has learned.

During his visit, Duncan will attend a grassroots leadership meeting with representatives from the McCain campaign, Sununu campaign and the RNC's Victory organization. In an e-mail to Republican operatives, Ashley Maagero - McCain's New Hampshire state director - informed potential attendees that the event would be closed to the press.

Sen. Barack Obama's campaign has begun to organize Granite State supporters.

Later tonight, Obama supporters will gather for events in Manchester, Peterborough and North Hampton.

John McCain's New Hampshire campaign has sent out a last minute e-mail to recruit Republican candidates for local office.

The e-mail begins with "friends" and argues that candidates can "help bring about real reform."

New Hampshire supporters of Mike Huckabee describe a presidential campaign that had a humble beginning with almost no money that fought for Republican ideals to the end.

"My favorite moments might have been when we were eating potato chips and bananas because we had no money," recalled State Senator Bob Clegg (R-Hudson). "From videotaping, to organizing, to photography we did everything ourselves at the beginning."