The First-in-the-Nation primary is in its stretch run, leading up to our big day on Feb. 11.
Stef Mattlage isn’t running for anything, but he has been busy on that endless road known as the campaign trail.
By now, the Democrats running for their party’s nomination – at least most of them – have gotten an up-close-and-personal view. Mattlage is the guy from Concord who has created a detailed routine, a strategy that allows him to get close enough to the candidates to snap off a selfie with them.
Big deal? Well, while most voters would probably be satisfied rubbing elbows with individuals who could very well become president, Mattlage is just warming up after that initial meeting.
He gets copies made, then he’s out on the road yet again, tracking the candidates shown in his photos, planting himself in key spots, which he knows ahead of time will pay off by providing better maneuverability.
He’ll wait for the right moment and spring like a cheetah from the thicket, show the candidate his personalized BFF selfie, hand over a pen and grab that John Hancock.
Mattlage knows this is nothing new, that, with cameras these days attached to us like appendages, selfie-crazy voters have been shadowing candidates in growing numbers.
But then Mattlage added the signing twist, making his adventure twice as nice and adding to the envy of political junkies across the country
“I don’t know how I decide to do that, the signature part,” Mattlage said. “It takes scheduling. It’s not like you can take the picture and it just spits out right there and then. You have to take the photo, then . . . get it printed, and then you have go back and find the people, and then you have to meander in, so if you don’t do it quickly you could have 70 people around you waiting.”
Mattlage sees this area as a gold mine for candidates looking for a place to relay their messages. The University of New Hampshire School of Law. New Hampshire Public Radio’s central headquarters. Gibson’s Bookstore. Former state senator Sylvia Larsen’s Concord home, where intimate rallies are held. A coffee shop here, a diner there.
And, of course, there’s the State House, home of Secretary of State Bill Gardner’s office. Every four years, Gardner shares the spotlight with presidential candidates, who must register with him before getting their name on the ballot for the first primary.
It affords Gardner the opportunity to hobnob with political celebrities. Meanwhile, as events have unfolded this primary season, Mattlage has been watching, taking mental notes on where to stand and when.
“They announce when they will do it (at the State House) and you can be right there if you want,” Mattlage said. “It’s not easy to do, but all of them have to go there, and you know this ahead of time.”
In other words, if you’re passionate about meeting the candidates, asking a question, maybe even posing for a selfie to send to friends, the opportunity exists. And if you want to push this rare opportunity into autograph territory, know the routes and tricks, know the hot spots, and get there early.
This is retail politics, opening the door for more than hearing stump speeches and seeing baby-kissing. Mattlage says he’s got the State House figured out.
He camps out near the front door leading into the reception area, makes sure he’s free to follow the scrum of media into the back area, knows the best spot to take a photo without settling for the back of someone’s head.
“Much to my wife’s chagrin, we get there early and we’re figuring out how to do this,” Mattlage said. “They have to come through this door, or they’ll try to sneak out through the Executive Council, but I’m on to that too.”
Mattlage listens to NHPR, which announces candidates’ town meetings and ticket information.
His master plan, one of sheer genius, might have been the time he snagged Cory Booker for personal, one-on-one contact at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester. There, with Booker scheduled to arrive between 8 and 8:30 a.m., Mattlage and his wife got there at 6, figuring they’d eat breakfast, read the newspaper and wait.
Booker’s people came in early looking to reserve a table but were told that they couldn’t, given the morning rush at this popular, well-known restaurant, open 24 hours.
No biggie. Mattlage simply moved over to the nearby open table to eat, holding it for Booker, while his wife stayed at their original table. When Booker came in, he had a table and Mattlage had one, too, just a few feet away.
This gave the couple the inside track on hand-shaking and question-asking. They asked Booker about his ideas on education and received their own little private response. Ten minutes’ worth.
“I have six grandchildren,” Mattlage said, “and I asked what he would do as president so my grandchildren will be educated and live in a healthy world and be safe. He said that was a beautiful question and he repeated it to the whole crowd. It was great.”
He hasn’t corralled either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders yet, adding that it doesn’t bother him too much because he’s not a fan of either.
“I don’t think either would be a good president,” Mattlage said. “Biden is not honest and Bernie the last time around said he never understood about superdelegates and that had to be bull.”
Don’t be surprised, though, if Mattlage snags photos and autographs from those two Democratic heavyweights. Elsewhere, he’s seen, at least somewhat, what makes these people tick, their enthusiasm and ability to stay cool and genuine, with voters and media moving in as though Elvis had just entered the building.
Elizabeth Warren, Mattlage said, was friendly. “She said she would stand there and take selfies until no one is left,” Mattlage said.
Strategically, Mattlage knows better than to request a bunch of words, or any at all. “Keep it simple,” he said. “All I ask is that they spell my name right.”
Warren’s rebellious, progressive spirit jumped out with her words, “Stef, resist, Elizabeth.”
Kirsten Gillibrand drew a heart and used ‘love’ before signing her name. “Thank you for your amazing work,” she wrote.
Booker wrote, “You are awesome.”
Amy Klobuchar, “Thanks for your good work.”
Tom Steyer, “Stef, we will win.,”
And Tulsi Gabbard, “Aloha, Stef.”
He’s got a photo of Kamala Harris beaming, but the copy Mattlage mailed to her camp was never returned.
All part of the fun, and Mattlage knows it. He relishes the spotlight that’s heating up and cherishes what his Magical Mystery Tour represents.
At a Harris event, she wondered if the state’s reputation for being politically spoiled and demanding was true. Someone said, “No.”
“I told him to speak for yourself,” Mattlage recalled, “because we are spoiled.”