by Mike Dorning
PENACOOK, N.H.—The Clinton camp says it is unimpressed by reports today of huge crowds at a campaign event for Barack Obama or the frenzy of enthusiasm he received last night from the audience at Democratic party fundraising dinner attended by presidential candidates.
“How you do on Jan. 8 is not based on how large your crowds are or how loud they were at one dinner,” Clinton spokesman Jay Carson said, responding to questions from reporters after a Clinton campaign event here.
Carson said the Clinton campaign still anticipates a strong showing in the New Hampshire primary.
“We’ve always said Sen. Obama is a great orator. He gives a good speech,” Carson continued, adding that his own candidate is “steeped in knowledge and experience.”
Of course, Carson can draw on his own experience. He was press secretary Howard Dean, whose 2004 campaign stirred massive displays of enthusiasm until it collapsed upon contact with real voters at the Iowa caucuses and then the New Hampshire primary.