Campaign Journal: Manchester, N.H. Part 4

The nation's eyes are on Republican presidential candidates, but they aren't the only ones running for office. President Obama's New Hampshire campaign operation wanted to remind voters of that. 

His campaign offices in Manchester, Portsmouth and Concord are operating phone banks this evening.

"We're using this event (the Iowa caucuses) as a building tool," said Pete Kavanaugh, state director of the Obama campaign. "We're using it as an opportunity to build our organization and get our volunteers back engaged in the campaign."

Most of the dozen or so volunteers in the Manchester office are students from Connecticut's Quinnipiac University who are enrolled in a class on presidential campaigns and elections. This is their third trip to New Hampshire -- this time for 10 days. They had a choice of which campaign to work for. About half picked Mr. Obama while the rest are split among the Republicans' campaigns, students said.

Jameson Cherilus, 22, of Bridgeport, Conn, said he's found voters here to be more independent-minded than those in his home state.

"Voters here are much more aware of what's going on. They take a greater responsibility because they have the first primary so their voices and opinions count a little bit more," he said.

Before launching into their phone calls, students plastered the office with small posters indicating why they support the president.

"I'm in because the top 1 percent does not pay their share," one sign reads. "I'm in because I want my grandchildren to know what polar bears are," and "I'm in because I care about my education and so does Obama," read others.