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Clinton wins Democratic primary Clinton and McCain win US primary
(30 minutes later)
Democrat Hillary Clinton has won New Hampshire's presidential primary, beating rival candidate Barack Obama into second place. Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton defied pundits and pollsters by winning New Hampshire's presidential primary, beating rival Barack Obama.
Earlier, John McCain won the Republican presidential primary with a substantial lead, media projections indicated. John McCain made his own remarkable political comeback with a convincing win in the Republican contest.
Observers say it seems to have been a record-breaking turnout, with some half a million people having cast ballots.Observers say it seems to have been a record-breaking turnout, with some half a million people having cast ballots.
Candidates are aiming to build momentum before more than 20 states hold polls on 5 February, known as Super Tuesday.Candidates are aiming to build momentum before more than 20 states hold polls on 5 February, known as Super Tuesday.
Senator Clinton told a cheering crowd of supporters that: "I come tonight with a very, very full heart. New York Senator Clinton, 60, told a cheering crowd of supporters: "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 am so gratified that you responded."
"I want especially to thank New Hampshire. 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 am so gratified that you responded." Resurrection
She echoed her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who in New Hampshire's primary in 1992 called himself the "comeback kid". She echoed her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who in New Hampshire's primary in 1992 called himself the "comeback kid" when his own White House bid was resurrected by a strong, second place finish in the state.
DEMOCRATIC RACE Hillary Clinton - 39%Barack Obama - 36%John Edwards - 17%Bill Richardson - 5% Source: Associated Press Analysis: Clinton's surprise?In pictures: N Hampshire voteKey quotesDEMOCRATIC RACE Hillary Clinton - 39%Barack Obama - 36%John Edwards - 17%Bill Richardson - 5% Source: Associated Press Analysis: Clinton's surprise?In pictures: N Hampshire voteKey quotes
"Now together let's give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me," she said. The BBC's Justin Webb, reporting from Mrs Clinton's celebration rally, says she not only repeated her husband's feat but perhaps improved on it, because the opinion polls, the Obama team and the media had indicated strongly that victory was his.
The BBC's Justin Webb, reporting from Mrs Clinton's celebration rally, says she not only repeated her husband's feat but perhaps improved on it, because the opinion polls, the Obama team and the media had suggested strongly that victory was his. Polling station interviews suggested registered Democrats and female voters, who deserted Mrs Clinton last week in Iowa, helped sweep her to victory, overcoming Senator Obama's advantage among New Hampshire's independent voters.
In conceding victory Senator Obama said: "I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard fought victory here in New Hampshire. She did an outstanding job, give her a big round of applause." Mr Obama said: "I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard fought victory here in New Hampshire. She did an outstanding job, give her a big round of applause."
Turning point? He had gone into the vote with leads of up to 13 points in opinion polls following his impressive victory in Thursday's Iowa caucuses, after trailing Mrs Clinton for much of the campaign.
Mr Obama had gone into the vote with leads of up to 13 points in opinion polls following his impressive victory in Thursday's Iowa caucuses.
McCain supporters chanted "Mac is back, Mac is back". McCain victory speechMcCain supporters chanted "Mac is back, Mac is back". McCain victory speech
He achieved a surge in the polls after trailing Mrs Clinton's lead for much of the campaign. The BBC's Kevin Connolly in New Hampshire says Mrs Clinton's win may be down to an extraordinary moment on Monday when she appeared close to tears as she talked about how much public service meant to her.
Mrs Clinton having closed that gap may, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in New Hampshire, be down to an extraordinary moment during her campaigning on Monday when she appeared close to tears as she talked about how much public service meant to her.
John Edwards, who came third in the Democrat contest, reminded supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, that there were "48 states left to go".John Edwards, who came third in the Democrat contest, reminded supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, that there were "48 states left to go".
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney came second in the Republican race with 32% compared to Senator McCain's 37%, according to ABC. Republican battle
In the Republican race, Arizona Senator McCain rode to victory, taking 37% of the vote to defeat former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney into second place with 32%.
The 71-year-old former Vietnam prisoner of war's triumph put him firmly back in contention for the White House, said correspondents.
Mr McCain used to be the front-runner but his campaign crumbled last year when his funds and support evaporated, analysts said, down to his unflinching support for the Iraq war.
'Fighting on''Fighting on'
At his campaign headquarters, Mr McCain thanked his supporters, saying: "My friends, you know I'm passed the age where I can claim the noun 'kid', no matter what adjective precedes it. But tonight we sure showed 'em what a comeback looks like."
Former Massachusetts governor Mr Romney congratulated Mr McCain and said: "Well another silver... I'd rather have a gold, but I got another silver.
Former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani came in with 11% and 9% of the vote for the Republicans, according to ABC projections.Former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani came in with 11% and 9% of the vote for the Republicans, according to ABC projections.
REPUBLICAN RACE John McCain - 37%Mitt Romney - 32%Mike Huckabee - 11% Rudy Giuliani - 9%Ron Paul - 8% Source: ABC Muted celebrationsREPUBLICAN RACE John McCain - 37%Mitt Romney - 32%Mike Huckabee - 11% Rudy Giuliani - 9%Ron Paul - 8% Source: ABC Muted celebrations
Mr Giuliani said he planned to stay in the race and was looking forward to Florida's 29 January primary.Mr Giuliani said he planned to stay in the race and was looking forward to Florida's 29 January primary.
Mr McCain has staged an impressive fight back after seeing his campaign nearly derail several months ago.
At his campaign headquarters, Mr McCain thanked his supporters, saying: "My friends, you know I'm passed the age where I can claim the noun 'kid', no matter what adjective precedes it. But tonight we sure showed 'em what a comeback looks like."
Mr Romney conceded victory and congratulated Mr McCain.
"Well another silver... I'd rather have a gold, but I got another silver.
"But tonight congratulations go to Senator John McCain for running a first class race. Congratulations for the gold senator, great job, let's give him a round of applause."
The BBC's James Coomarasamy in New Hampshire says a wounded Mr Romney must now bounce back from his Iowa and New Hampshire defeats, states where he far outspent his opponents.The BBC's James Coomarasamy in New Hampshire says a wounded Mr Romney must now bounce back from his Iowa and New Hampshire defeats, states where he far outspent his opponents.
Mr Huckabee, by contrast, will take heart from his third place finish in a state where he was never expected to do well, our correspondents says. Mr Huckabee, by contrast, will take heart from his third place finish in a state where he was never expected to do well, our correspondent says.
The election battle now gathers pace, with Michigan holding its primary next Tuesday and Nevada its caucuses on 19 January.The election battle now gathers pace, with Michigan holding its primary next Tuesday and Nevada its caucuses on 19 January.
And the next big contests are set for South Carolina, where Republicans hold their primary on 18 January with the Democrats in the state making their choice a week later on 26 January.And the next big contests are set for South Carolina, where Republicans hold their primary on 18 January with the Democrats in the state making their choice a week later on 26 January.
Analysts say South Carolina's large block of black Democratic voters are likely to go for Mr Obama, who aims to become the first black US president.