Woodbridge Coed Stumps for Romney in New Hampshire

New Jersey's presidential primary is so late in the season that unless candidates are a hair's breadth apart, it is usually a political snooze. 

Amy Maciejowski, though, isn't getting any sleep, at least not where she is. The resident and Quinnipiac University student has been spending most of the last week in New Hampshire, stumping for Gov. Mitt Romney to win today's legendary primary race.

"It's awesome. You feel a different kind of excitment and see the amount of organization and freedom of speech in action," the 20-year-old coed said. "It's just amazing to see it so up close."

Maciejowski has seen it very close indeed. She's been living in an icy Motel 8 with little rest, spending a dozen hours at a clip helping to man a Manchester, NH phone bank, and going door to door to spread the word. 

She's simultaneously exhausted and starry-eyed, probably no more so than when Romney himself showed up at headquarters to say hello and thank the volunteers for their help. 

Romney is "handsome and charismatic, a very good speaker," Maciejowski said. And of course, she got a snapshot taken with the man who may be the nation's next Republican presidential candidate who will face off against President Barack Obama in November.

But it wasn't all elephants and red states in Manchester. Maciejowski, who is 5 ft. 6 in. in stocking feet, but closer to 6 feet tall in the high heels she was wearing, was surprised that Romney was "so short. I was taller than him."

And then there are the jokes. "He's got to work on his delivery," Maciejowski said of the quips with which Romney peppered the speech he gave to the volunteers. "His wife [Ann] is much funnier."

Who's a Republican?

For all her dedication, though, it's interesting to note that while Maciejowski is registered to vote, she's not a registered Republican. "I'm unaffiliated," she proudly said.

So how'd she wind up 350 miles away in the frigid eight degree New Hampshire winter, so cold her lip gloss froze in the case, stumping for a Republican candidate while she herself isn't even a member of the GOP?

Simple: it's a school project. 

Maciejowski is one of 28 students taking part in Quinnipiac's advanced level seminar on presidential campaigns. After researching the candidates, they spent a weekend in October and November in New Hampshire, all leading up to the big campaigning for an entire week before the primary to learn the art and science of grassroots politicking.

How did Maciejowski wind up campaigning for Romney, though? 

"I took a computer test at SelectSmart.com, and it said that I'd be happiest with Gov. Romney as my choice of candidate," she said.

For her week of work, Maciejowski, a junior with twin majors in political science and journalism, will earn four credits, with an extra credit tacked on for "experimental learning" - that is, her seven cold days in New Hampshire.

'Eight is our lucky number.'

She and her friends sweated out the Iowa caucus results where Romney was seesawing back and forth with former Senator Rick Santorum for the lead. "We were up to 8 in the morning, it was 8 degrees out, and we were in a Motel 8," Maciejowski said. "Naturally, Romney won Iowa by 8 votes."

"Eight was our lucky number."

During her stay in Manchester, she did manage to do a few fun things. She met South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain. She worked the phone banks with former Minnesota Governor and Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty. And she also set eyes on her own state's governor, .

That, she said, "was thrilling."

She also got to meet Ron Paul supporters, who are famously boisterous in their support for the libertarian congressman. "It was great to see how dedicated they are," she said, but added she was in no danger of becoming a 'Ronbot.'

With Romney pulling 38 percent in the latest New Hampshire polls, Maciejowski thinks the primary after-party will be a victory celebration. She'll be spending Tuesday morning doing some phone work, but most of the day will be engaged in being a Romney cheerleader.

"We'll stand around with signs and show support," she said.

Wednesday, she and her fellow students will be heading back to the somewhat warmer climes of the Garden State. But this, Maciejowski's first political experience, probably won't be her last.

She's hoping the former Massachusetts governor wins all the way down the line, to New Jersey's June primary. Meanwhile, there may be volunteer openings over the summer for Romney supporters, and Maciejowski will probably be in line. 

"I'd be interested in working for Republican candidates," she said. 

"I think this election is important. Even if Obama stays in the White House, the primary is getting people so involved in the process. It's opening more of those discussions between young people and more seasoned veterans of politics," Maciejowski said. "It's great."