Clinton Feels Granite State Heat

ABC News’ Eloise Harper Reports: Senator Clinton, D-N.Y., is receiving some media backlash in New Hampshire, the state with the first-in the-nation primary.  While Clinton is expected to coast to victory in Michigan, she has decided to keep her name on the ballot for the Michigan primary, which is angering some in the Granite State.

On Thursday, the front page of the New Hampshire newspaper, "The Union Leader," displayed a note from publisher Joseph McQuaid: "Romney, Others need to back NH." 

McQuaid writes: "With the exception of the double-talking Sen. Clinton, the top Democrats have promised not to participate in Michigan, which is again threatening to move up its date."  The publisher adds, "candidates can influence the calendar, and they should use their clout to help preserve the tradition of retail politics that only New Hampshire’s primary provides."

This is not the first time "The Union Leader" has voiced frustration with Clinton’s actions in Michigan.  The paper had an editorial column on October 12th stating, "the Clinton campaign preposterously claims that the senator is not violating her signed pledge because she is not campaigning in Michigan. But she pledged not to ‘participate.’  She is participating.  As her husband famously tried to redefine the word ‘is,’ she is trying to redefine the word ‘participate.’"

Clinton was asked about this in an interview with New Hampshire Public Radio, responding:  "I signed the DNC pledge, not to campaign, not to spend money in any of the states that were not in compliance with the rules established by the DNC that certainly strongly maintains New Hampshire’s status." 

When pressed about why she wouldn’t take her name of the Michigan ballot, Clinton defended the people of that state. "People in Michigan are flat on their backs," Clinton said.  "They have the highest unemployment rate in America. They are now grappling finally with what they are going to do with the auto industry. One in ten jobs in America is tied to the auto industry which is the American auto industry which as we know is centered in Michigan. It’s clear this election they are having is not going to count for anything. But, just personally, I didn’t want to set up a situation where the Republicans are going to be campaigning between now and whenever and then after the nomination we have to go in repair the damage to be ready to win Michigan in November of  2008."