Edwards went to the Soda Shoppe in Laconia to cast his one term in the Senate as an attribute.

CNN: Candidates reach out across New Hampshire

Bush's day began aboard his chartered plane, "Great Expectations, " which took him from Manchester to Laconia for an 8 a.m. interview at the Laconia Evening Citizen.

CNN: NHPrimary.com: Bush learns the joys of retail politics

Aavid, which employs 450 people in Laconia, also has plants in Dallas and Terrell, Texas, as well as Monterey, Mexico, making it a good fit for Bush, who is an unapologetic free trader.

CNN: NHPrimary.com: Bush learns the joys of retail politics

"Everybody spells my name wrong, either the first or the last, " shrugged Wanita Maxham of Laconia, who says she'll register to vote for the first time and is still shopping in both parties.

CNN: NHPrimary.com: Bush learns the joys of retail politics