And We Need To Listen Why?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/01/08/144865218/days-before-primary-n-h-restaurant-bans-presidential-candidates

After reading this article I had two thoughts. 1) Shame on this restaurant for hindering democracy, and 2) If this is how they are going to respond, should we really be listening to these primaries, more especially New Hampshire?

1) I think it is ridiculous that a restaurant would close their doors to a candidate running for office.  In my opinion they might as well be closing the door on Democracy as we know it.  Forever and a day we hear about how we, the voting public, has no contact with our elected officials.  Now we have restaurant closing their doors and denying that opportunity when granted.  We get a General Election once every four years.  Why would this restaurant or it's owners bypass the opportunity to be a part of it.  Besides, for the past month or so all we have heard is how "The people of New Hampshire take their responsibility seriously." Is this kind of behavior taking a responsibility serious? If it is we need to reconsider what we are doing.  More so as well why would they deny the free publicity, and business they are getting.  I would, should I ever own a restaurant, welcome any candidate running for office, they are after all going to represent me as well. 

2) If this is how Granite Staters are going to react, do we need to be listening to what they say?  Why do Iowa and New Hampshire get all the attention anyway?  South Carolina has an earlier primary and it gets half as much coverage.  While Virginia should/could hardly be considered the stalwart of primary good behavior, it will only have 2 names on the ballot unless court cases are resolved before the day of the primary, but at least if the candidates wanted to interact with the public we would welcome them.  Virginia is though going to be a major state in the election. Democrats are worried here, with several taking losses in state battles, and facing challenges in local elections.  President Obama barely won in 2008, and from the landscape of the past months is in trouble again.  Should Republicans not be concerned about Virginia's primary? What about Tennessee's? Tennessee went for McCain in 2008, it has two Republican Senators and only one Democratic Representative to the House.  The governor is Republican also.  With a state as red as Tennessee, should their primary not count for something?  I for one think so.  I would welcome the change for Tennessee or Virginia to carry some importance in he primary season. Are Granite Staters more representative of the United States?  I think not. Not with their minority population so low, their needs for industry hard to see, and their lack of any kind of agriculture being any factor, why do we care so much about New Hampshire.  It's record, like Iowa is dismal when picking Presidents.  It's Electoral  College record is just slightly better. Not to beat a dead horse for Tennessee's Electoral College record is roughly 85% and the Commonwealth's is 90%.