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N.H. Primary Filing Period Ends
Added: (Tue Nov 23 1999)
By DAVID TIRRELL-WYSOCKI Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - What do the names Berry, Eaton and Mosby have in common with Bauer, Bradley and McCain?
They're all on the ballot for the New Hampshire presidential primary.
The filing period ended Friday with 30 candidates: 16 Democrats and 14 Republicans.
The number of candidates was down from the 45 who ran in 1996.
In addition to the U.S. senators, vice president and governor most people have heard about, the ballot also contains a filmmaker, an out-of-work self-taught scientist, an industrial engineer and a marketing man with a flair for the dramatic.
Several have elaborate Internet web pages, while others seem to know little about how the process works. All have plunked down $1,000 to be listed on the ballots that will go before voters on Feb. 1.
Republican Sam Berry has a Web site on which he says he has never held elected office, but wants to be president to "find creative solutions to people's problems." The Medford, Ore., lawyer said less government involvement is key.
Democrat John Eaton, 77, of Oak Bluffs, Mass., was surprised so many other Democrats were running. He figured it would be Al Gore, Bill Bradley and him.
The marketing man has a big campaign event planned, but is keeping it under wraps.
"It is so different," he said. "I just don't want to spill it before I do it."
Timothy Lee Mosby, 55, of Red Bluff, Calif., is running as a Republican, but isn't too sure about the whole thing.
He asked whether signing up in New Hampshire meant he was signed up in Iowa or California or other primary states. The answer: no.
And he wondered if he has to come to New Hampshire to speak to a convention. Again, no.
He described himself as a self-taught scientist who believes in hybrid cars that run on electricity and gas, spreading the gospel and using space technology to improve the economy and everyone's well-being.
Filmmaker Jim Taylor, 35, from St. Paul, Minn., figures if he doesn't win the primary, he'll be able to go home with the makings of his second documentary about it.
"There is a whole circus element that most people are unaware of," he said. "It would give them a different perspective on presidential politics."