Well if you look at the latest polls the answer is, no. Heading into the NH primary, RealClear Politics had Sanders leading by 13.3 percent and the first votes cast at midnight left Clinton with zero and Sanders with four votes. Even though this is only a small town of nine (other votes went to Republican candidates Kasich and Trump), it is not a good start.

I, however, hold hope for Clinton, we must remember this is 2016 not 2008 and she still has a great shot at becoming the parties nominee. I for one hope that will be the outcome following the conventions in July. #ImWithHer

Is NH still Hillary’s Primary State? was originally published in Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everything on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

So we all know candidates make Iowa one of their first stops on the campaign trail due to the state’s first in-the-nation caucus. To see if how many times they choose to visit the state (info from the Des Moines Register candidate tracker) I wanted to take a look at the number of times they visit vs. the support they are actually receiving in the polls (knowing there has been some skepticism of recent polls). Also, this is clearly not a scientific study.

Democrats

Hillary Clinton

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing her candidacy in April plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 68
• Currently leading (by a very slime margin) in the latest Iowa Democratic Presidential Caucus poll with 45.5% according to RealClearPolitics

Bernie Sanders

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in May plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 96
• RealClearPolitics rank: second with 45.3%

Martin O’Malley

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in May plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 127
• RealClearPolitics rank: third with 5.0%

Republicans

Ted Cruz

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in March plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 100
• Currently leading (by a very narrow margin)in the latest Iowa Republican Presidential Caucus poll with 26.7% according to RealClearPolitics

Donald Trump

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in June plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 29
• RealClearPolitics rank: second with 26.2%

Marco Rubio

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in April plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 68
• RealClearPolitics rank: third with 13.0%

Ben Carson

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in May plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 76
• RealClearPolitics rank: fourth with 9.0%

Jeb Bush

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in June plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 32
• RealClearPolitics rank: fifth with 4.5%

Rand Paul

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in April plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 73
• RealClearPolitics rank: sixth with 4.0%

Chris Christie

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in June plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 43
• RealClearPolitics rank: seventh with 3.8%

Mike Huckabee

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in May plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 160
• RealClearPolitics rank: eigth with 2.5%

John Kasich

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in July plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 15
• RealClearPolitics rank: ninth with 2.2%

Carly Fiorina

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing her candidacy in May plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 77
• RealClearPolitics rank: tenth with 1.8 %

Rick Santorum

• Number of campaign stops in Iowa sense announcing his candidacy in May plus those scheduled for Jan. 2016: 182
• RealClearPolitics rank: last with 1.2% (why is he still in the race?)

As you can see it may not matter how many events you hold in Iowa. Clinton has held about half as much events as O’Malley and is garnering 40% percent more of the vote. Santorum has made 182 stops compared to Trump’s 29 and remains at the bottom of the Republicans polls.

Candidates Traveling to Iowa was originally published in Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everything on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

While your enjoying quality family time, here is a little political humor. We all know everyone loves to mix politics and family gatherings. While you’re taking a break from trivial pursuit or if it’s half time you can check here to see which presidential candidate made it to your table.

Note: Contrbutions from Emily Grimm and Elizabeth Govoni Conley. Also, awesome pictures by Amber Hanson. Thank you!

Turkey

Donald Trump is the Turkey that you decided to deep fry out on the front lawn…after it spontaneously caught fire and half of your lawn is charred and immediately regret your decision….you go to the store and by a Hillary Clinton turkey that is already premade.. because we always new we were going to end up here with the reliable choice.

Stuffing

Ted Cruz, he is trying to get in on everyone else’s goodness, but he’s terrible on his own.

Green Bean Casserole

Jeb Bush, a long traditional family recipe, it’s always there.

Cranberries

Carly Fiorina wishes it was sweet, but tastes a little sour. Also, it moves about just as much as her hair in the last debate.

Mash potatoes

Bernie Sanders, why are they always yelling at you to eat more than you need?

Gravy

Lindsey Graham — (southern accent) you just wanna drizzle it on everything.

Rolls

Chris Christie — always off to the side, never the center of attention, easy to throw at people.

Vegetables

Mike Huckabee, looks innocent enough, but always trying to sneak a brusslesprout on your plate.

Sweet Potatoes

Martin O’Malley, oh so sweet and tasty, especially when the outerlayer is off.

Deviled eggs

Ben Carson, WHAT WHO BROUGHT THAT, stick to Easter! Stick with what you know!

Marco Rubio, only have to deal with it once a year, and can mask the taste with cool whip.

Booze

John Kasich — makes everyone a little angry and confused.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Whining from the kids table — Rand Paul

Fruitcake

Rick Santorum — someone brought it last year too, was really well received, but this year not so much.

Thanksgiving with the 2016 Presidential Candidates was originally published in Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everything on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.