By Derrick Z. Jackson, Globe Columnist, 2/2/2000

ew Hampshire, so tiny, so unrepresentative of America, yet so critical in determining which boring white man shall lead us all, has once again lowered its sword of Damocles.

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESULTS Republican 98% of precincts reporting McCain 49% Bush 31% Forbes 13% Keyes 6% Bauer 1% Democrats 98% of precincts reporting Gore 52% Bradley 47% Percentages will not necessarily add to 100. FROM THE GLOBE Democrats fight to a close finish Independents turn GOP contest Contrarians speak up, leaders get wake up call Arizona senator has found strength in his weaknesses Independent voters say character was key to decision Why they voted the way they did Result no setback for Bush backer Cellucci Primary shows off NBC synergy Independents seen taking up the insurgents' fight Bauer, Keyes unbowed as they vow to soldier on Forbes hopes to make it a three-way race Bush campaign says it's ready to move on In Granite State diner, a final helping of politics First primary settled, campaigns mull new tactics On campaign trail, it's a frantic pace Vow of tenacity keeps Bradley's spirits high, focus keen For vice president's campaign, no letup in asking for votes NECN VIDEO Forbes praises McCain win, asks for more support Keyes will stay in race, despite big N.H. loss Gore wins the Democratic N.H. primary over Bradley Bradley greets voters at polls Will Bradley triumph? Turnout heavy in Granite State Can McCain pull off a victory? Gore makes a last minute effort These video clips are viewed using RealPlayer. Get RealPlayer | Help EARLIER COVERAGE Gore wins close race among Democrats McCain savors big win over Bush in GOP race True to tradition, N.H. tests front-runners McCain impressed voters as straight shooter GOP voters happier with candidates than in '96 Independents say character was key to vote Granite State voters have their say N.H. Secretary of State again predicts high turnout Keys to reading the New Hampshire returns Bradley, McCain win Dixville Notch, Hart's Location

From this point on, the rest of the states, far larger and far more representative of the modern United States, play only segmented roles. If New Hampshire wielded a sword last night, the rest of the states hold pocket knives. For a more true democracy, the sword must be passed to another state.

In an America that means what it says about diversity, this should be the last time New Hampshire holds the first primary. New Hampshire is beautiful, with lots of beautiful people. But for the sake of picking a president, it is too antiseptic.

In New Hampshire, the candidates debated only a fraction of our pressing issues. That is a natural consequence in a state that is 98 percent white and has the nation's lowest level of poverty and eighth-highest percentage of college graduates. Such bliss made it comfortable for the candidates to ignore public schools, wealth gaps, the working poor, urban blight, immigration, AIDS, sports stadiums, and - oh, yes - race relations.

The first primary should have the personal touch of New Hampshire. But it does not have to be New Hampshire. It's not like they travel in covered wagons any more. You could split the first two primaries between the highest voting state as a civic reward (which actually is Maine) and a large, diverse state such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, or Ohio.

As it is now, Iowa and New Hampshire, less than 1 percent of the American people, cook the meal the remaining 99 percent must eat. That might be fine if everyone at the dinner table looked like Ward and June Cleaver. But America is now a banquet hall with tables filled with Garcias and Wongs, with tables filled with people who send their children to terrible public schools, with tables filled with people with social and economic anxieties despite the boom.

Candidates who can digest and address the full plate of America would surely be more dynamic than the white bread we have now. Until we find a way to let a state that is representative of America have first crack at the cutting board, democracy has not been served. Until the sword is passed to them, New Hampshire represents a tyranny of the minority.

Derrick Z. Jackson is a Globe columnist.