Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    January 10, 2012

Voting Begins in First US Primary Election of 2012

   VOA News
   Residents mark their ballots before the stoke of midnight when they can
   cast their voters in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, at
   The Balsams Grand Resort, in Dixville, New Hampshire, January 9, 2012.
   Photo: AP
   Residents mark their ballots before the stoke of midnight when they can
   cast their voters in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, at
   The Balsams Grand Resort, in Dixville, New Hampshire, January 9, 2012.

   Republican presidential candidates are increasing the pressure on
   front-runner and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney as voters
   across the northeastern U.S. state of New Hampshire head to the polls.
   Most voters started heading to gymnasiums, town halls and even churches
   early Tuesday local time, casting their ballots in the
   first-in-the-nation primary.

   Speaking Tuesday outside a polling station in the city of Manchester,
   presidential candidate and former congressman Newt Gingrich said voters
   will have to think twice about putting their support behind Romney if
   he continues to "misstate" his positions.

   Gingrich was referring to comments Romney made during a speech on
   health care, when Romney said, "I like being able to fire people."
   Romney's statement had been directed at health insurance companies who
   fail to provide good service. But his rivals quickly jumped on the
   comment.
   Jon Huntsman, the former U.S. ambassador to China, said Monday he was
   different than Romney because, "Governor Romney enjoys firing people. I
   enjoy creating jobs."
   Other Republicans candidates also have been hammering Romney on his
   previous career running a private investment firm, Bain Capital.
   Romney's rivals charge that the firm laid off hundreds of employees in
   an effort to boost already large profits.
   Voting got underway Tuesday just after midnight local time [0500 GMT]
   in Dixville Notch, near the Canadian border. Romney - who has held a
   large lead in public opinion polls - won two of the town's nine
   possible votes, tying him with Huntsman.
   Several pundits say it is very likely Romney will win the New Hampshire
   Republican primary. They say his national candidacy could suffer,
   though, if he does not handily defeat the other Republican candidates.
   Ex-U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, who lost to Romney by only eight votes
   last week in the Iowa caucuses, hopes to also come in second in New
   Hampshire. But the latest polls suggest second place may go to Texas
   Congressman Ron Paul. Texas Governor Rick Perry also is hoping for a
   strong showing.
   Besides Huntsman, the other major contenders for the Republican
   nomination include Texas Governor Rick Perry and ex-congressman Newt
   Gingrich.
   All the candidates have been seeking to highlight their conservative
   credentials against the more liberal President Barack Obama, a
   Democrat.
   Obama faces no major challengers in Tuesday's primary vote.

.