We’ve found ourselves a bit envious of our neighboring New Hampshire residents of late. Why? They get to personally meet — or at least see and hear — most of the candidates for President who come to their home state to woo them in hopes of earning their vote in the nation’s first primary of the season.

Granted, televised debates provide an opportunity for all of us to familiarize ourselves with the candidates’ positions on a number of key issues, but there’s something very special about being in the same room with them, hearing them speak, seeing up front and personal how they react and respond to questions and comments, and getting a real “feel’’ for them, sometimes even exchanging a few words with them. We realize this doesn’t really tell us much about them, but when combined with what we see on TV, what we read, and what we hear, we feel it helps us learn about their strong points and weak points.

It somehow seems unfair that most of us have to cast our ballot for the individual we feel will best represent our political party in the November election when we’ve never even seen them in person. In many ways, it hinders our ability to make wise choices.

Nobody can say that the debates in both parties haven’t thus far been enlightening, feisty, humorous, ridiculous, stupid, and everything else including just plain entertaining. We’ve all learned a great deal from the New Hampshire campaigning, ranging from large rallies to small coffee-shop gatherings, as well as from the Iowa caucuses, but we must admit that living in a state where the candidates converge and campaign in person is an added bonus for voters. Envy of our New Hampshire neighbors has served as a reminder that much of our voting, even for state officials, and yes, sometimes right here at home in local elections, is done without ever seeing the candidates in person or without any in depth knowledge about their beliefs, philosophies and goals. This winter’s presidential campaign to date has reminded us what a difference it can make when voters feel they “know’’ their candidates.

Those of us without the luxury of early primaries or caucuses have television to thank for helping personalize the upcoming election in the months leading up to next November. There’s nothing worse than entering the voting booth and placing an X beside someone’s name with the uneasy feeling you know precious little about them.