Granite State

Did you know it was called the Granite State, Mr. Farrell? "

Peggy in Her Blue Frock Eliza Orne White

In working on their efforts in the Granite State as the process has picked up, it's been fascinating to see the relative strength of the GOP candidates as reflected in the Google search trends of the core candidates.

Andrew Daley: "One if by Land, Two if by Google." Andrew Daley 2011

There is no sense of a tangible organization that you can point to, says Rich Killion, an uncommitted GOP strategist in New Hampshire, who's unsure of the location of Cain's Granite State base of operations, or even if there is one.

US politics live blog: Obama's new housing plan, Republican presidential candidates in a tangle 2011

Others question whether the Granite State should play such a prominent role in the nomination process.

Michael K. Lavers: A New Hampshire Native Returns Home to Cover the Primary Michael K. Lavers 2012

Independent voters, however, have been fickle in the Granite State, and it is not clear how they will respond to that kind of rallying cry.

Tea Party Reshapes New Hampshire Calculus Jonathan Weisman 2011

With New Hampshire's primary election just days away, candidates competing for the Republican presidential nomination are facing off in the Granite State on Saturday night.

Republican Debate: GOP Candidates Face Off Ahead Of New Hampshire Primary (LIVE UPDATES) The Huffington Post News Editors 2012

Hordes of reporters also descended on the Granite State, traveling with the candidates to campaign events and contributing to the mob atmosphere at polling places.

New Hampshire Election Results 2012: Winners And Losers The Huffington Post News Editors 2012

Like Iowa, the residents of the Granite State take their role as vanguards of the process quite seriously and in turn, the Republican Candidates are heading north, and lining up to shake hands across the state.

Andrew Daley: "One if by Land, Two if by Google." Andrew Daley 2011

With New Hampshire's primary election just days away, candidates competing for the Republican presidential nomination are facing off in the Granite State on Saturday night.

Republican Debate: GOP Candidates Face Off Ahead Of New Hampshire Primary (LIVE UPDATES) The Huffington Post News Editors 2012

Instead, he has focused on the Granite State, announcing his presidential exploratory committee Monday at the University of New Hampshire.

Tea Party Reshapes New Hampshire Calculus Jonathan Weisman 2011