Stunner in N.H.: Clinton defeats Obama

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton won New Hampshire's Democratic primary Tuesday night, pulling out a stunning victory over Sen. Barack Obama in a contest that she had been forecast to lose.

On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain also laid claim to this election cycle's title of "Comeback Kid" by defeating former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and climbing back into contention for his party's presidential nomination.

Clinton has been the national front-runner, but tracking polls had shown Obama surging ahead in New Hampshire after his victory in the Iowa caucuses last week.

With 96 percent of the New Hampshire vote tabulated before counters shut down for the night, Clinton had 39 percent, Obama 36 percent and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina 17 percent. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson trailed with 5 percent and Rep. Dennis Kucinich had 1 percent.

"I come tonight with a very, very full heart, and I want especially to thank New Hampshire," Clinton told a jubliant crowd in Manchester. "Over the last week, I listened to you, and in the process I found my own voice.

"I felt like we all spoke from our hearts, and I’m so glad that you responded. Now together let’s give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me."

‘What a comeback looks like’
Clinton's husband had used a second-place finish in New Hampshire in 1992 to propel himself to the White House in a performance that tagged him "The Comeback Kid," a title to which McCain also gave a nod Tuesday night.

"I’m past the age when I can claim the noun 'kid,' no matter what adjective precedes it, but tonight we sure showed 'em what a comeback looks like," McCain said in his victory speech.

"We celebrate one victory tonight and leave for Michigan to win another."

Video The pollsters were wrong Jan. 8: NBC's Joe Scarborough and Howard Fineman analyze the surprising results of the New Hampshire presidential primary. MSNBC

The boisterous crowd responded, "Mac is back, Mac is back."

With votes counted from 96 percent of the state's precincts, McCain had 37 percent, Romney 32 percent, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the winner in Iowa just last week, 11 percent. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani had 9 percent, Texas Rep. Ron Paul 8 percent and former Sen. Fred Thompson got 1 percent.

With his victory, McCain added seven delegates to his total. Romney got four and Huckabee one. Among Democrats, Clinton and Obama each got nine and Edwards four.  

‘Still all fired up’
Among the challengers on both sides, there were congratulations for the winners and vows to fight on.

Serious but upbeat in speaking to his supporters, Obama pronounced himself "still all fired up."

"For most of this campaign we were far behind," he said. "We always knew that our climb would be steep."

He warned supporters of a long struggle ahead. "But always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change," he said.

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