What’s it like to be caught up in the midst of the “retail politics” in an early primary state? Today I talked with Elaine Ratay, who is from a St. Louis suburb but has lived in New Hampshire for three years and takes seriously her responsibility to be part of the political process.

She has gone to small and large events to see many of the candidates, even taking her three young children along to meet them and see what’s going on. She thought she was leaning towards one candidate, but seeing another one in person changed her mind about who she voted for today. I asked her whether she was able to go anywhere without running into a candidate, a political operative, a pollster, or a member of the media — and whether she was glad it was all over.

Listen to our conversation here.