MANCHESTER, N.H. — Andrew Blanchard fronts a band, 9th State Madmen, named for New Hampshire’s place as the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Blanchard has little use for politics, but he likes to write songs about being free to do what he wants. (His most recent tunes are on the group’s debut recording, “World Gone Crazy.”) Blanchard has voted for president in the past, but never for an actual candidate; unhappy with his choices in 2008, he wrote in the name of his grandfather, Walter Dwinnells, of nearby Hopkinton, N.H. Alas, Dwinnells didn’t win.

But on primary day in New Hampshire, Blanchard happily cast a vote for a real candidate: Ron Paul.  “I can look at a politician and finally say he’s honest,” said Blanchard, who had come to the Executive Court center in Manchester for Paul’s election-night party.  “I hate to be political, because I don’t like politics, but I do like freedom.”