New Hampshire: Dante Scala

Outside the core counties of Hillsborough and Rockingham, other counties moved in a decidedly Democratic direction by the beginning of the 1980s.

Take, for instance, Merrimack County.  Merrimack was strongly Republican in presidential elections during the 1960s and early ‘70s, voting 4-5 points more Republican than the entire state.  But the county abruptly moved to bellwether status in 1980 and 1984, when conservative Ronald Reagan was the GOP nominee.

Many observers point to the last half-dozen years as the key turning point for New Hampshire politics. Undoubtedly very significant events have occurred. But we may fairly ask whether we're at the beginning of a realignment in the Granite State, or closer to the conclusion, when we take a look back at all that's occurred in the last several decades.

Consider, for example, how much the state grew during the 1960s and 1970s. Here are the highlights:

Several New Hampshire political analysts have offered their predictions for Election Day.

All the analysts cited say the Democrats are poised to win the congressional races in New Hampshire and will keep control of the State House.

Dean Spiliotes: NHPoliticalCapital.com

President: Obama wins New Hampshire

Senate: Shaheen wins

NH-1: Shea-Porter wins

NH-2: Hodes wins

Andy Smith: Director of UNH Survey Center

Economic uncertainty among voters has given an edge to the Democratic ticket, according to New Hampshire political analysts.

"Certainly the last two weeks have been terrible for the Republican Party from John McCain down," said Dante Scala, UNH professor and PolitickerNH.com columnist, told The Associated Press.