Pundits play down New Hampshire's impact on Georgia primary

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Political experts doubt last night's presidential primary in New Hampshire will impact Georgia's primary next month.

Many say New Hampshire is not a good barometer for Georgia mostly because of demographics. New Hampshire's population is only 1 percent African-American.

Georgia's is nearly 30 percent black just like South Carolina's. That's why experts like Emory University political science professor Merle Black put more weight on South Carolina's primary.

BLACK: What we'd be looking for in South Carolina is whether or not African-American voters will really support Barack Obama in very large numbers. If he can win the South Carolina primary, I think he would be the favorite here in Georgia.

Black and other political analysts say Florida's primary may also be a big influence on Georgia. Florida votes January 29th 3 days after South Carolina.

Georgians vote on February 5th.