I'm currently at the New Hampshire 100 Club Dinner here in Milford, NH, an event held by the New Hampshire Democratic Party, attended by the New Hampshire party rank and file as well as electeds and the presidential candidates. All remaining candidates will be speaking (about 10 mins each) except for Edwards -- I haven't been able to figure out the reason for his absence except that he has a Townhall at 6:30pm in Portsmouth.

The event is being held on a big field, soccer I think, in an enclosed dome, so it's sort of surreal to be walking around on grass indoors. At the front of the dome is a large stage, above which hangs a banner emblazoned with the words "Hope. Leadership. Results," a perfectly generic hybrid of various candidates' slogans. The media section is behind the big camera risers, so the actual stage is blocked from view but they have a few big TVs to watch the festivities. I'll be liveblogging.

It will be covered on CSPAN starting at 6:30pm EST (watch online HERE.)

I'm told the speeches by the presidential candidates are supposed to begin at 7pm but I won't hold my breath.

Update [2008-1-4 19:11:44 by Todd Beeton]:Governor Lynch is speaking. He asked the room to give Chris Dodd and Joe Biden a round of applause and the whole place is on their feet.

He's now praising all the candidates for their commitment to maintaining New Hampshire's first in the nation status. "I'm convinced a New Hampshire primary makes them a better candidate in the general election." There's been quite a bit of "we're so great, we're first" cheerleading so far tonight; I guess we'll probably see more kissing of New Hampshire's ring once the candidates themselves get up there.

Former Congressman Dick Swett praised the fact that we now have two Democratic members of congress from New Hampshire. He also said he hopes to see a new Democratic member of the senate in Jeanne Shaheen. The place WENT NUTS. This crowd is so pumped to get rid of Sununu.

Update [2008-1-4 19:20:6 by Todd Beeton]:OK, forget that stuff I said about going nuts. The Obama For President table at the dinner was mentioned and seemingly the whole place rose to its feet yelling and shaking Obama signs. Literally, most of the people here have to be Obama supporters. The Richardson for President table got a bigger cheer than Clinton For President.

By the way, over 3,000 people are here, a record for the dinner.

Update [2008-1-4 19:29:40 by Todd Beeton]:Sweet, Dean is here. "I always knew this was a blue state."

"I am so proud of 228,000 Iowans who went to the caucus last night because they want change in America and they want it back to what it was before the Supreme Court took it away in Florida in 2000...And on November 4th, you are going to send the first Democrat to the US Senate in 32 years."

I love when Dean starts bragging about Democrats. He's talking about Republicans now: "We can't afford a third term of George W. Bush." Nice.

Update [2008-1-4 19:37:25 by Todd Beeton]:Dean's soliciting New Hampshire Democrats to take part in the neighbor to neighbor program, to knock on 25 doors of someone you know, 3 times a year. Robo calls and TV ads can move your numbers 1 1/2%, direct contact from someone you know can move numbers 12 1/2%. Good stuff.

Update [2008-1-4 20:4:57 by Todd Beeton]:Paul Hodes is up. Wow, it's pretty much a Barack Obama rally, which follows since he did endorse him. "We have to get past red states and blue states,""heal the nation,""Will you stand up for hope, stand up for change?"

Update [2008-1-4 20:4:57 by Todd Beeton]:Carol Shea-Porter is up. "The problem is we have a 2008 Congress with a 2002 Senate."

One downside to NH electing more Democrats last year: this dinner is interminible. OK, Shea-Porter is through. Do I hear a presidential candidate...?