Voters' Views: Lance Klass

New Hampshire, the first state to vote in a US presidential primary, has made its choice -- and it is a change from Iowa.

Here six residents of the state give us their reaction to the results.

You can also read the panel's pre-primary comments by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

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Lance Klass
Business owner | Democrat/Republican

Barack Obama took his "improbable campaign" up against probably the savviest politician in America today -- Bill Clinton

Age: 63 Lives: Concord Occupation: Business owner and CEO of art licensing firm Last election voted: Democrat In 10 words or less: Business owner, married, two grown sons, progressive, pragmatic independent Voters' Views: New Hampshire

"Hillary Clinton's three-point upset victory over Barack Obama in today's New Hampshire presidential primary election went against every poll, by every pollster, even those in the Clinton camp, that had overwhelming predicted that Obama would win by at least ten points. That was not to be.

What changed in the last two days of the campaign was that Hillary Clinton and her husband went strongly negative on Obama in every public forum they could reach.

While Obama replied briefly to each attack, he probably made the tactical error of thinking that the attacks wouldn't bite, that the voters would be turned off -- as they apparently were in Iowa the week before by similar, albeit far weaker, negative attacks by Mrs Clinton.

That tactical error may have been a major factor in Obama's loss. In attempting to run a "clean" campaign in which he wouldn't attack his opponents, he failed to adequately call Clinton to task for what appeared to be increasingly desperate and relentless assaults by her and her husband on Obama's credibility, experience and competence.

Whether Obama will now begin to put some edge into his campaigning and fight back strongly when attacked is anyone's guess.

He's an extremely smart and talented individual. But in America, negative attacks work.

Looked at another way, Barack Obama took his "improbable campaign" up against probably the savviest politician in America today -- Bill Clinton -- and came within only several points of upsetting the Clinton machine.

And that's no small feat. He's created a movement that doesn't stop here in New Hampshire, and that is poised to grow as it proceeds from state to state, from election to election."

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Read the panel's pre-primary comments here

The readers' panel has been selected from as wide a cross-section of people as possible and may not be representative of wider US public opinion.

Your comments:

To Joe Rye: It may be true what you say about the Clintons but the world certainly felt like a safer place with Bill at the helm.
Mike K, Gloucester, England

Well I am one member of the entire planet who is not hoping for an Obama bounce back next week. To me the man is a collection of handy catchphrases and trendy buzzwords without any major substance behind him. I'd prefer somebody a little less likeable, a little more policy focused and little less messianic than Obama be that either Clinton or even McCain.
Jim Walsh, Dublin, Ireland

I see a UK citizen claiming the US are the most ignorant voters in the western world. Please remember that we in this country voted Tony Blair into office and then kept him there so we have no right to criticise other people for their electoral mistakes!!
Miffedofreading, Reading, UK

Hillary Clinton lucked out. Her tears were as a result of fatigue and frustration. Many were duped into thinking she genuinely cares about the American people. I hope Obama stays the course and above the negativity. He can win this election!
Shirley B Dean, Greensboro NC

Klass is simply correct, but Obama has displayed himself as original,eloquent and believeable.People who listened to him forget their genda,race and interests.They simply turn youg and think young. Imagine listening to a professor in lecture room, he/she appears original,there and then you forget what you are, this is the secrete in Obama,he sells himself as a lecturer, while others appear as politicians. In the time of decision makings, people turn easily to professor who is promising nothing than to politicians who would promise heaven and earth.
Sunny Ekwenugo , Berlin, Germany

Im happy with the result. Obama is suggesting ideas that can't work in the reality of today's world (or any world.) Change is ok if its based on "can do," options, but change based on unrealistic ideals-"peace at any price," "money for all," and "the poor are only poor because of a rich people conspiracy"--makes him out to be "full of it." H. Clinton is saying lets change things where and when it is possible and use better ethics to accomplish these things
David Stevenson, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

No, you people have it wrong. It was the unapologetic venom in the media aimed at Mrs. Clinton that made women finally realize that this country is much more misogynistic than it is ever racist. After all, women here were still property when black men were voting, but it isn't okay to attack Obama, despite the fact he is all style and no substance, but go ahead and call Hillary, old, ugly, shrill, cold, calculated. Really Chris Matthews even stated she was senator only because her husband cheated on her. We women have had enough!
Sandra Teller, San Francisco, California

I was filled with joy when the news of Mrs. Clinton's victory hit the airways. Mr. Obama is filled with slogans, much like the present occupant of the White House. But can he deliver? I don't think so. The electorate is waking up to the reality that Obama is not ready. Mrs. Clinton is!
John J Procita, Phillipsburg, NU, USA

The Clintons' negative attacks on Obama and his supporters have ignited Hillary contempt fires on the Democratic side of the aisle. These fires have long burned only on the Republican side. Scorched earth will not bear fruit in November. Look for the differential in fund raising that will happen as a bunch of women and a bunch of Democrats realize they've been played by one of their own.
JED, villanova, pa

There is nothing the Clintons won't do to get elected. Hillary or McCain will only be a continuation of what we have now. At least we don't have to put up with having a leader named by someone else without a voice in the decision. I think Hillary won with her moment making the feminists angry and they were voting in sympathy. Contrary to popular belief from those outside the US, negativity is not approved of by the ordinary American voters. We hate it.
R. H. Kommer, Illinois-USA

Lets be serious it's not Hillary running it's Bill Clinton running for president all over again. What is going to happen when she goes to the Middle East where they have no respect for women and they refuse to sit in a meeting with her or speak to her is she going to cry in hopes of getting her own way. Very sad, America is falling like the Roman Empire did and Hillary is the next step in that fall thanks New Hampshire.
Jon Z, Philadelphia

It is unfortunate that you think that Hillary Clinton achieved nothing during her time as first-lady. Contrary to popular belief she was able to entice concrete reforms to the American healthcare system. The real threat is not power, but ignorance, and the greatest difference between G.W. Bush and Mrs. Clinton is that she knows how to use her power to ressucitate the US.
Dalila Barragan, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Earlier in the campaign season, they went after Obama with silly messages like Obama sounds like Osama; his middle name, Hussein, is same as Saddam's; he attended a madrasah in Thailand; his black-ness does not have the slavery heritage, etc. I bet you they'll repackage these and more if he is the Democrat candidate. I'd like to see him first roughen it with them in the Senate for one more term. On a personal note as an African-American, I fear for him, especially in the South. On a different note, it's been less than ninety years since women started voting. Hillary as a president would be the ultimate glass ceiling that a woman needs to break in this country. Next, the black skin and Obama.
Joe Akinmusuru, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

You say that negativity works in the US, however Romneys negative adverts seemed to do him no good, in the Republican election. In fact in polls the electorate seemed to be turned off by this tactic. I think Obama should stick with a clean campaign, I believe that more people who currently support him would be turned off by a switch in tactics than would be enticed to his side by such a move.
Neal Kemp, Edinburgh, UK

Hilary didn't change her tactics. I think her voice was going due to all the usage so she had to go gently with it. That gave a softer impression which they liked. Anyway, I think she'll be a good president.
philip hatch, maidenhead uk

I used to respect Bill Clinton much more before his wife's campain and before his attacks on his wife's opponents. I was to vote for her, because I considered her smart and independent women. Now, when I see how she is using his husband's name, I changed my mind. We do vote for president, not for president's spouses.
Ina, New York

It's sad but true that it is much easier to explain - and understand - why someone else's idea is a bad one, without actually properly explaining yours. This tactic eventually results in voting for two bad politicians, one slightly worse than the other. Good luck to Barack Obama, and to taking the high road. I sincerely hope he is not sucked in to this mud-slinging.
Adam, Guelph, Canada

I agree in part with what you say but I think Obama should have put a little more substance in his speeches after Iowa and the debates on Saturday. I voted for him but I don't think Hilary's attacks were too negative or unfounded. His speeches lacked detail while promising a great deal -- she called him on it and he failed to respond before the NH Primary. To the respondent from Seaford: Of course the electorate judges a candidate by his/her negativity: It's human nature and believe it or not; we do it everyday with everyone we meet!
Steve, Nottingham, NH

One of the reasons I love Obama is that he isn't a tongue-lashing jerk like the Clintons. I hated hearing my favorite former President spewing negativity to tear down the best candidate for the job. I lost all respect for Hillary, who I'd thought was also a fine candidate. Not any more!
Maria Alexander, Los Angeles

In the past 8 years Americans got tired of hearing negative views about their country whenever international politics are at issue. The natural reaction is to bury their heads into the sand and ignore international relations altogether. Thus, they seem not to care that Clinton has greater experience in international relations. Instead, they are opting for a vague and unspecified hope for something different.
D.K, Washington, D.C.

I don't dislike Clinton but I disagree with her policies. However, everytime there's a really sexist incident, it makes me almost want to vote for her. I think that "Iron my shirt" incident and how she handled it probably swayed a lot of women voters who were leaning toward Obama.
Catharine, Chicago, IL, USA

Mary, what a hopelessly ill-informed (and bigoted) post. Is the US anymore politically ignorant than, for example, the Spaniards - who sack their (otherwise destined for victory) government becase of the Madrid bombings?
Matt Lewis, Cardiff

As long as this is made out to be a two candidate race on the Democratic side between Hillary and Obama little will change. Those who pull the strings in big media know the value of pushing the results of polls that suit their fancy. No one can deny the outcry when corporations decided which Republican and Democratic candidates were to be excluded from debates and thus have less of a chance to get their message out. Left, right and centre this election is about limiting corporate power and its influence over government. A tall order I'd recommend every candidate consider.
Dale Lanan, Longmont, Colorado USA

I agree with all you say. Isn't it sad that an electorate judges a candidate by his/her negativity? I'm afraid I regard US voters as the most politically ignorant in the Western World. Their own security remains paramount and that is why they will slavishly follow Clinton and ensure she takes the White House. She seems a self-righteous and arrogant woman who will exhibit similar characteristics to GWB, but this time for the Democrats. Sad day in New Hampshire as I feel this will lead to a Clinton upsurge in other states. My condolences to all Obama followers.
Mary Clarke, Seaford, UK

A speed bump on the hopeful trail Iowa blazed. Nothing against Hillary, she would be a great Vice President for Obama, with her stateswomanship and experience. However, let's not forget the eight years her and bill ran the USA, posing as liberals but enacting one conservative policy after another, and failing to accomplish a single progressive action. I join the entire planet in hoping for an Obama bounce-back next week.
Joe Rye, San Francisco, CA