February 26, 1980 - KENNEDY LOSES NEW HAMPSHIRE!
Kennedy delivering his concession speech at his campaign headquarters in Boston
Boston, MA - Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) was delivered a crushing loss on Tuesday, losing the New Hampshire Primary by less than a 100 votes to Senator *redacted*. The loss is yet another handicap for the Democratic frontrunner: after an announcement that was widely panned by both pundits and the public, Kennedy shockingly found himself placing 3rd in the Iowa Caucus, and won the Maine Caucus by less than 2%.
Initially considered a longshot to win even his own state's March caucus, Senator *redacted*'s insurgent campaign emulated Senator McGovern's and then Governor Carter's retail politics to build a following in the early contests. He shocked political pundits by taking 2nd in the Iowa Caucus ahead of Senator Kennedy, and came relatively close to Senator Proxmire's (D-WI) performance in his own backyard. Is he in a position to run away with the Democratic nomination?
(maps later, backstory and unveiling the mystery senator to follow)