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New Hampshire primary: Romney claims victory | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Mitt Romney has taken a step closer to the Republican Party presidential nomination after claiming victory in the New Hampshire primary. | |
Counting is still under way but initial results suggest the former Massachusetts governor has won the first Republican primary of 2012. | |
With 19% of the state's 301 precincts reporting, Mr Romney led on 35% of the vote. | |
He told cheering supporters: "Tonight we made history". | |
Texas Congressman Ron Paul is currently second on 25% and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman on 17%. | |
Mr Romney took to the stage to declare victory within 20 minutes of the polls closing, to deliver a strong and sustained attack on President Barack Obama's economic record and "European-style socialist" policies, as he pledged to "save the soul of America". | |
As campaign workers and supporters chanted his name and cheered, Mr Romney said: "This president is running ouf of ideas and now he is running out time." | |
But he also took a swipe at some of his "desperate" Republican rivals, whom he said wanted to "put free enterprise on trial" - a nod to a row that blew up on the final day of campaigning over Mr Romney's alleged job-cutting past. | |
The competition for fourth place in New Hampshire appears to be intense, with Iowa winner Rick Santorum and former House speaker Newt Gingrich, currently level pegging, on 10% each. | |
Texas Governor Rick Perry, currently on 1% of the vote, departed early for the next contest in staunchly Republican South Carolina. | Texas Governor Rick Perry, currently on 1% of the vote, departed early for the next contest in staunchly Republican South Carolina. |
In his first presidential run in 2008, Mr Romney finished second in New Hampshire to John McCain, who ultimately won the nomination. This time, he campaigned with McCain's endorsement. | In his first presidential run in 2008, Mr Romney finished second in New Hampshire to John McCain, who ultimately won the nomination. This time, he campaigned with McCain's endorsement. |
Primaries and caucuses will take place in every US state over the next few months to pick a Republican nominee before the eventual winner is crowned at the party convention in August. | Primaries and caucuses will take place in every US state over the next few months to pick a Republican nominee before the eventual winner is crowned at the party convention in August. |
A poor showing could force Mr Huntsman, who was the Obama administration's first ambassador to China, to drop out of the race. | A poor showing could force Mr Huntsman, who was the Obama administration's first ambassador to China, to drop out of the race. |
Analysts estimate about 250,000 Republican voters turned out to vote in New Hampshire. | Analysts estimate about 250,000 Republican voters turned out to vote in New Hampshire. |
A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll on Tuesday suggested Mr Romney was far ahead of his Republican rivals nationally, with 30% support. | A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll on Tuesday suggested Mr Romney was far ahead of his Republican rivals nationally, with 30% support. |
It also indicated Mr Romney was trailing Democratic President Barack Obama by five percentage points were he to challenge him for the White House now. | It also indicated Mr Romney was trailing Democratic President Barack Obama by five percentage points were he to challenge him for the White House now. |
President Obama is seeking re-election amid voter concern at the pace of economic recovery from the recession that started in 2007 during the White House tenure of George W Bush and ended in 2009. | President Obama is seeking re-election amid voter concern at the pace of economic recovery from the recession that started in 2007 during the White House tenure of George W Bush and ended in 2009. |
Are you in New Hampshire? If you would be willing to be interviewed by the BBC about the primary? Please fill in the form below. | Are you in New Hampshire? If you would be willing to be interviewed by the BBC about the primary? Please fill in the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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