In the middle of a nasty campaign season, Gov. John Lynch is one politician getting plenty of love.
"I think he's great," said Carol Ennis of Northwood. "I pretty much stick with the Republican ticket, but he'll get my vote."
Lynch, a two-term Democrat, appears quite comfortable in the final days of his re-election campaign. Polls have him well ahead of his opponent, Republican state Sen. Joe Kenney. With New Hampshire hosting competitive races for U.S. Senate, Congress and president, most of the attention - and negative campaigning - is focused far away from Lynch.
And that's just the way the governor and his fans like it.
In interviews this week, the vast majority of voters expressed affection and admiration for Lynch, describing him as an anti-politician: approachable, modest and above the fray. Even some who criticized Lynch said they planned on voting for him next week. And as state officials forecast a dire financial future, few voters blamed Lynch alone for the state's economic woes.
"He doesn't take a lot of strong leadership on where we need to go with the budget," said Bob Manley, a photographer from Sanbornton who plans to vote for Lynch. "But a lot of people are responsible for putting that budget together."
Ennis said she was impressed by the way Lynch dealt with crisis. And the governor's reaction to recent natural disasters, she said, showed his willingness to rise above politics.
"He always seems to be there for the people," she said. "He was there for the Portsmouth Shipyard. He was there with the tornado. He was there with the flooding. He just is where he needs to be at the right time."
Lynch's high popularity ratings have befuddled Republicans since he first took office nearly four years ago. He has avoided using the bully pulpit that some governors favor, and Republicans have tried to turn Lynch's subdued style into a critique: that he would rather be liked than take unpopular positions. Many Republicans have also faulted their own party for not mounting a stronger challenge, with a more focused message. Two years ago, in his first re-election bid, Lynch defeated his Republican opponent, Jim Coburn, by a record margin of victory...