Yeah, I have to say, in this instance, if they are voting for him based on some vague years-old "personal connection" despite Gardner having little in common with them with regards to election policy, then that is pretty blatant cronyism. Gardner isn't some election god, he's just another guy who has outstayed his welcome. They could have given him the boot today and New Hampshire's elections and presidential primaries would have kept on ticking just fine.
As i said - it was for them to decide. They (just as i would do) seem to preferred friendship over ideological expediency. You think differently - it's your right.
Unfortunately for them, they were elected for their policy positions, not for their friends.
