Today the Iowa caucus has been forgotten. The two ‘outsiders,’ Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have won the nation’s first primary. Both were predicted to be victorious, and both won easily. The importance of this primary is who wins second place in the Republican Party. It will also be interesting who finishes third and fourth; some of the GOP candidates will likely withdraw during the following week.

Nearly 50 percent of New Hampshire voters decided which candidate to support at the last minute. The largest majority of Democratic voters call themselves Independents. Is this the election year when voters take back their nation from the wealthy and privileged?

Early in the evening John Kasich and Jeb Bush remained in second and third place respectively. Is this a rejection of the TEA Party by GOP voters? The final results won’t be revealed for several hours, but early returns are interesting.

The biggest loser in New Hampshire is the politically biased Supreme Court decision regarding Citizens United. The one-percent and major corporations are ‘on the ropes.’ In both Iowa and New Hampshire record numbers of voters have walked through the snow to voice their displeasure with the destruction of our political system.

When Bernie Sanders offered his victory speech, I found that I could not disagree with one item he offered to his supporters. He is the ultimate American and may be the savior of the United States of America. He will undoubtedly be attacked by all of the GOP candidates, and possibly Hillary Clinton. However, the truth cannot be denied; Bernie Sanders speaks for all Americans and is the only hope for our nation to return to its once status of ‘greatness.’

For Republicans, the important fact was the presumed second place finish by John Kasich. He has continued to be the only GOP candidate who speaks about the issues. It appears that Marco Rubio was exposed for who he is in Saturday night’s ‘debate.’ Cruz once again rode the evangelical vote. 25 percent of New Hampshire’s voters placed him in an apparent distant third place.

The results confirmed that extremist Ted Cruz, and an immature Marco Rubio had not impressed voters. The ‘outsider,’ Donald Trump, and a true Republican, John Kasich, convinced voters that they care about the majority of the American people.

New Hampshire voters confirmed the fact that they do not appreciate hypocrisy and empty promises. When the final results are revealed, Marco Rubio could be in fifth place in the GOP race.

South Carolina will be the next primary next Monday. For Democrats, prior to tonight’s results, Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders 62 percent to 32.6 percent. After his convincing victory in New Hampshire that statistic may experience significant change.

For Republicans, Trump nearly doubles his lead over Ted Cruz; Rubio and Bush are distant in third place. The question is; can Kasich supporters change the balance for Cruz and Rubio? South Carolina’s voters are far less stable than those in New England. However, the truth is that if Trump wins again with a huge percentage, does this signal the end of his competitor’s campaigns?

If Clinton fails to defeat Sanders with significant numbers, will she experience a similar situation to 2008?

This campaign season has already offered extraordinary surprises, and it is unlikely that they will cease in the near future. The success of Trump and Sanders is indicative of the angst of the American people about the future of our nation. Our nation is in great danger of the revocation of the intentions of our founding fathers. The Constitution is in danger, and the future of our nation is in the hands of voters. New Hampshire may offer significance about the future of the American people.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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