A Portrait of the New Hampshire Primary: Photos by Christopher Morris
A Portrait of the New Hampshire Primary: Photos by Christopher Morris
2 minute read
Ron Paul makes a visit to the studio of WMUR in Manchester, N.H for a radio spot on the eve of the primary elections on January 10, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Mitt Romney made history Tuesday night as the first Republican to win both the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary since 1976. Ron Paul came in second and Jon Huntsman finished third, while Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry trailed in their wake. Photojournalist Christopher Morris’ latest collection for TIME explores the journey behind this historic primary and the strange mix of enthusiasm, fear and anticipation that accompanied it.
In 2006, the Morris released his first monograph, My America, which began on assignment for TIME during the George W. Bush administration. Now he journeys into Republican America again for TIME in this collection.
Morris trains his lens on those to whom the political grasp for power is most dear—not solely the candidates, but perhaps more poignantly, the voters. Complex and diverse faces drew Morris’ attention in New Hampshire. “A true visual palette awaits any photographer who ventures up here to experience the very American process called a primary,” says Morris. “Not only was I captivated by the looks of the New Hampshire voters, but equally interesting were the campaign staff, the journalists and the odd-man-out characters on the campaign trail.”
Morris’ ability to capture the tension that connects the inner human spirit with outward communal realities is unparalleled. He describes his anthropological style as “straight and modern.” To that, we would add distinct and cinematic.
His insight into America’s young faces—the children whose future many of the candidates claim they are running to save—conveys a fresh look into the candidates’ audiences. His images here of blue sequined boots and twisted American flags provoke deeper wonderment at both the American social realities and political processes. Then there is his soon-to-be priceless snapshot of Ron Paul—in all his White House runs, we’ve never seen Paul look quite like this. Enjoy a moment to soak in these pictures before the race sprints onward to the Palmetto State.
Christopher Morris is a contract photographer for TIME and represented by VII. See more of his work here.
Elizabeth Dias is a reporter in TIME’s Washington bureau. Find her on Twitter @elizabethjdias.
Cassandra Krupp from Londonderry N.H. prepares fliers to pass out during a Mitt Romney town hall meeting at the Boys and Girls Club in Salem, N.H. on January 5, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJoe Sherlock from Haverill, MA, holds a Mitt Romney sign outside of a town hall meeting in Salem, N.H. on January 5, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEAllison Cambrils from Concord, N.H. at a Rick Santorum town hall meeting
in Northfield, N.H. on January 5, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEMitt Romney pumps up the crowd at a campaign rally with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA reporter takes notes at a Mitt Romney town hall meeting at a Boys and Girls Club in Salem, N.H. on Janaury 5, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEYoung members of Mitt Romney's family on stage at a campaign rally in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMESarah French from 7 News WHDH Boston checks her phone at a Mitt Romney town hall meeting in Salem, N.H. on Janaury 5, 2012.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMERon Paul makes a visit to the studio of WMUR in Manchester, N.H for a radio spot on the eve of the primary elections on January 10, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA woman speaks to a reporter at a Mitt Romney campaign rally at Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012Christopher Morris—VII for TIME An attendee at a Rick Santorum town hall meeting in Keene, N.H. on January 6, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEInside the media room at the WMUR/ABC News Debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. on January 7, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA radio reporter at the WMUR/ABC News Debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. on January 7, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMERick Santorum speaks at a town hall meeting in a basement auditorium in Keene, N.H on January 6, 2012. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJim Fergouson from Dallas Texas attends a Mitt Romney rally at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H. on January 7, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA police officer at a Mitt Romney rally at Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMERick Santorum speaks at a town hall meeting in Keene, N.H. on January 6, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA woman waits in an overflow room at a Rick Santorum town hall meeting in Keene, N.H. on January 6, 2012. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA woman waits for Mitt Romney to appear after a campaign rally at the Rochester Opera House in Rochester, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEFlags decorate a strip mall near Rochester, N.H. just days before the primary on January 8, 2012. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMENewt Gingrich's bus outside the lobby of BAE Systems in Nashua, N.H. on January 9. 2012. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMECallista Louise Gingrich steps off the bus for a meeting with employees of BAE Systems in Nashua, N.H. on January 9, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEMitt Romney supporters wait for him after a campaign rally at the Rochester Opera House in Rochester, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA young Mitt Romney supporter after a campaign rally in Rochester, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA Mitt Romney supporter after a campaign rally in Rochester, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA flag outside of a home in Keene, N.H days before the primary on January 6, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMESecurity at a Mitt Romney Spaghetti dinner in Tilton, N.H. on January 6, 2012. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEDiane Godbout from Laconia N.H. at a Spaghetti dinner hosted by Mitt Romney in Tilton, N.H. on January 6, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEShane Achenbach from Washington, D.C. attends a Mitt Romney rally at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H. on January 7, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEMitt Romney onstage during a campaign rally with New Jersey Govenor Chris Christie at Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEYoung girls listening to Mitt Romney at a rally with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA young girl in sequin Ugg boots attends a Mitt Romney rally at Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEPatriotic disposable plates at a Rick Santorum town hall meeting in Hollis, N.H. on January 7, 2012.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA man dressed in a red tie and American flag lapel pin attends a Mitt Romney town hall meeting in Salem, N.H. on January 5, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA Mitt Romney supporter during an event held at Gilchrist Metal Fabricating in Hudson, N.H. on January 9, 2012.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA vendor sells buttons at a Mitt Romney campaign rally with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at Exeter High School, Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEDr. Gregory Devore from Pasadena, CA attends a Mitt Romney rally at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H. on January 7, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEVermin Supreme from Baltimore, Maryland attends a Mitt Romney rally at Pinkerton Academy, Derry, N.H. on January 7, 2012. He is a performance artist and activist known for being a satirical candidate in various local, state and national elections in the United States.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEMitt Romney greets the crowd during a rally at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H. on January 7, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA young woman listens to Mitt Romney during a rally with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA man in snakeskin cowboy boots sits during a Mitt Romney rally at Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H. on January 8, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEMitt Romney on his campain bus with guests on election day in New Hampshire on January 10, 2012. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA man during a Rick Santorum town hall meeting in Hollis, N.H. on January 7, 2012.
Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEA man watches television on election night in the overflow room at at Southern New Hampshire University on January 10, 2012. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEMitt Romney greets the crowd at Southern New Hampshire University in the overflow room after his win in the New Hampshire primary on January 10, 2012.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
