“The West Wing” wasn’t just a show to me, it was a doctrine. It transformed my life like Scientology transformed Tom Cruise. It’s embarrassing to admit, but Aaron Sorkin – the shows creator – is the one who first stimulated my interest in politics. I was in middle school when “The West Wing” first aired and I never missed an episode.
So when I came to New Hampshire for the primary all I wanted to do was go to Hartsfield Landing for the midnight voting. In the 2002 episode, President Bartlett (Martin Sheen) stayed up all night playing two simultaneous games of chess with Toby (Richard Schiff) and Sam (Rob Lowe) while Josh (the dreamy Bradley Whitford) anxiously awaited the results of the remote New Hampshire town that had a spotless record of predicting the results of party candidates and the outcome of the presidential election.
When I got here, I was very upset to find out that Hartsfield Landing doesn’t exist. However, Dixville Notch does. This quaint northern New Hampshire town that Hartsfield Landing is based on is known for their midnight primary that gets immediately reporter. While they haven’t always correctly predicted the presidential nominees (particularly in the last few democratic contests), they’ve had notable psychic power in the past.
So the results are in. Out of the eight people who voted for Republicans in Dixville Notch two supported Rudy Giuliani, two Mitt Romney and four John McCain making the Arizona Senator the winner (and perhaps the Republican nominee). Out of the ten people who voted for Democrats one voted for Bill Richardson, two for John Edwards, and seven for Barack Obama. No one came out to vote for Hillary Clinton. Tough day for the Senator.
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Two towns voted at midnight this year...any town with less than 100 residents can do it. HARTISFIELD LOCATION was the name of the other town.
Harts Location is the one you're thinking of, a town of 42 in northern New Hampshire. Yes, they also voted at midnight however they don't have the track record that Dixville Notch does.
I was thinking about that episode today. Hard not to when it's NH primary time!!!
Keep up the great work!
I'm watching that episode right now and paused it to google the 2008 prediction of the town. Thanks for the great writeup and BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT 2008!
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