NH political parties hire staff in preparation for 2008 election

With the New Hampshire primary a month away, leaders of the state's political parties have already begun to look forward at what could be the most competitive election year the state has ever seen.

Even after the primary presidential candidates are expected to care a lot about the state because of it's nature of being a swing state. In addition, the US Senate race has been consistently ranked as the number two race in the country and some have slated the Congressional race in the state's First District as the most hotly watched in the country.

This past week, the state Republican Party added a new spokesman. Barney Keller, the son of Jon Keller at WBZ, was introducing himself to reporters at a John McCain event this week.

This morning, New Hampshire Democrats approved a budget that added five paid staff positions including Deputy Finance Director, Two Regional Directors, Political Director and a Deputy Political Director.

-- Primary Source assistant Brian Lawson contributed to this report. His own blog is here.