Analyst: High turnout helps Obama, McCain

MANCHESTER, N.H. — A prominent New Hampshire political analyst said that the record-high turnouts that are being reported around the state here are good signs for the campaigns of Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.).

{mosads}Dante Scala, a political science professor, told The Hill that the big numbers add up to “real potential” for Obama to emerge Tuesday night with a double-digit victory over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).

On the GOP side, Scala said high turnout means independents are showing up to vote, and that is good news for McCain. But Scala said he would be surprised if the senator managed to surpass a five-point victory over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Scala said Romney and Clinton were likely hoping for small turnout, leaving only their loyal supporters in line at the polls.

“I think they were hoping for a snowstorm,” Scala said.