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McCain 'wins' crucial US primary McCain wins in crucial US primary
(31 minutes later)
John McCain has won the Republican presidential primary, according to projections from US media outlets. John McCain has won the Republican presidential primary with a substantial lead, US media have said.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney came second, US networks say. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney came second and conceded defeat.
In the Democratic race, Hillary Clinton is leading Barack Obama, the winner of last week's Iowa caucuses, by 39% to 37%, with 41% of the vote counted. For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton is leading Barack Obama, the winner of last week's Iowa caucuses, by 39% to 37%, with 57% of the votes counted.
The state secretary, Bill Gardner, has estimated that the turnout in the vote could break records, with some half a million people having cast ballots.The state secretary, Bill Gardner, has estimated that the turnout in the vote could break records, 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.
Turnout upTurnout up
According to CNN, Mr McCain won 37% of the vote, Mr Romney 30%.According to CNN, Mr McCain won 37% of the vote, Mr Romney 30%.
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: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.""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."
The two Democratic frontrunners are neck-and-neck in New HampshireHis speech was interrupted by chants from the crowd of "Mac is back, Mac is back".The two Democratic frontrunners are neck-and-neck in New HampshireHis speech was interrupted by chants from the crowd of "Mac is back, Mac is back".
Mr Romney conceded defeat and congratulated Mr McCain.Mr Romney conceded defeat and congratulated Mr McCain.
"Well another silver... I'd rather have a gold, but I got another silver."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." "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 Democratic race has been extremely close, with analysts saying it was too close to call between Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton with 41% of votes counted. The Democratic race has been extremely close, with analysts saying it was too close to call between Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton with just over half of votes counted.
Mr Obama had gone into the New Hampshire primary with leads of up to 13% in opinion polls after his impressive showing in Iowa on Thursday.
He staged a surge in the polls after trailing Mrs Clinton's lead for much of the campaign.
If Mrs Clinton has now closed that gap on her rival, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in New Hampshire, it may be down to the extraordinary moment during her campaigning on Monday when she appeared close to tears as she talked about how much public service means to her.
Analysts say New Hampshire's large bloc of independents - about 45% of registered voters - could be key to swinging the primary, the second in a series of state-level votes and caucuses through which the parties choose their candidates for the US presidency.Analysts say New Hampshire's large bloc of independents - about 45% of registered voters - could be key to swinging the primary, the second in a series of state-level votes and caucuses through which the parties choose their candidates for the US presidency.
Mr Obama, in particular, showed strong appeal at last week's Iowa caucuses among such voters, who are registered as neither Republican nor Democratic. Most of the state began voting at 0600 local time (1100 GMT) after two hamlets voted at midnight. Polls closed at 2000 (0100GMT Wednesday).
Two tiny hamlets, Dixville Notch and Hart's Location, traditionally the first to vote in New Hampshire, opened their polling stations at midnight giving small, early victories to Mr Obama and Mr McCain.
Most of the rest of the state began voting at 0600 local time (1100 GMT). Polls closed at 2000 (0100GMT Wednesday).
Turnout has exceeded expectations, helped by unusually mild weather for this time of year in New Hampshire.Turnout has exceeded expectations, helped by unusually mild weather for this time of year in New Hampshire.