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McCain wins in crucial US primary Clinton and Obama 'neck and neck'
(30 minutes later)
John McCain has won the Republican presidential primary with a substantial lead, US media have said. Democratic frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are neck-and-neck in New Hampshire's presidential primary.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney came second and conceded defeat. With 66% of votes counted, Mrs Clinton has 39% and Mr Obama has 36%, according to US media projections.
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. John McCain has won the Republican presidential primary with a substantial lead, the projections indicate.
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%. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney came second in the Republican race with 31% compared to Mr McCain's 37%, according to ABC, and conceded defeat.
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.
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.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". Senator McCain was leading in opinion polls before the voteHis 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 just over half 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 over 60% 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.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.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.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.
Most of the state began voting at 0600 local time (1100 GMT) after two hamlets voted at midnight. Polls closed at 2000 (0100GMT Wednesday).Most of the state began voting at 0600 local time (1100 GMT) after two hamlets voted at midnight. 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.