While the nation’s political eye turns to the New Hampshire primary today, ISU political activists are predicting a close race.

James Hutter, professor of political science, said today’s vote will be very close, and winning will be of paramount importance.

“Both races will be neck-and-neck,” Hutter said. “Like everybody else, I think the single most important thing to do for the candidates is win. They have to build some kind of foundation with the voters and gain some kind of ground swell of support.”

Steffen Schmidt, associate professor of political science, said despite polls showing Texas Gov. George W. Bush trailing Arizona Sen. John McCain by as much as 10 percentage points, he believes the GOP race will be tight.

“I think right now George Bush will be close to McCain. If he doesn’t win, Bush will do what he has to win in the other states,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said he thought the Democratic race will be close as well, but he said former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley should be faring better against Vice President Al Gore.

“Bradley will not do as good as he was planning, and he should do better than what he is going to do. He will not quit and will continue to spend plenty of money in the other states to try to get ahead,” he said.

Schmidt, who hosts the political call-in show “Dr. Politics” on WOI radio, will be discussing trends in student political participation today with Third Millennium survey researcher Brent McGoldrick and journalist Russ Freyman on WOI at 10 a.m.

Dan Schunur, director of communications for the McCain campaign, said McCain’s 5 percent support at the Jan. 24 Iowa Caucus proves that McCain will do well in New Hampshire. McCain did not campaign in Iowa before caucus season, instead focusing on rallying New Hampshire voters.

“There is no question we were surprised by the polls in Iowa. We received 4 1/2 percent more than what we expected. We kept hearing that we had a pocket of support in Iowa and around Iowa State,” Schunur said.

Schunur said he thought the vote would be close, however, and would not predict a McCain victory in New Hampshire.

ISU student campaigners also have their thoughts about today’s primary.

Steve Skutnik, ISU coordinator for the Forbes Campaign, said he is looking for a surprise or two in the results tonight.

“They are predicting him to come in third, but personally I see him coming in second. New Hampshire voters usually defy the polls,” said Skutnik, junior in physics.

Brendan Cary, a member of Students for Bush, said even though polls show him trailing, Bush will win in New Hampshire.

“It is going to be close. I think Bush has been catching ground. It will be within three or four points, since New Hampshire is full of independents. Bush has been doing a lot of convincing. He should have a shot at the primary,” Cary said.

John Klein, member of Students for Bradley, said he is pulling for a Bradley win today, but no matter what, he predicts a much closer finish than in Iowa.

In the Iowa Caucus, Gore took twice as many delegates as Bradley. However, Gore currently holds only a small lead in most New Hampshire polls.

“At best, I hope [Bradley] wins. As far as I know, it will be close. I think if he does well in any state, it should be New Hampshire,” said Klein, freshman in political science.

Andy Tofilon, chairman of Cyclones for Gore, said he is confident his candidate will come out of New Hampshire victorious.

“I think that Gore will have a strong showing and proceed to win the Democratic nomination. Bradley will not do well in New Hampshire,” said Tofilon, sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communication.

Even if Gore does lose in New Hampshire, Tofilon said his candidate is in a better position for the long haul.

“Bradley is outspending Gore two to one in Iowa and New Hampshire,” he said.. “He has put all his eggs in one basket, and I think that will lead to Gore nationwide being the overwhelming choice.”