Clinton, McCain win New Hampshire primary

Associated Press

Clinton scores startling win over Obama in New Hampshire

Hillary Rodham Clinton has won the Democratic primary in New Hampshire.

It was an unexpected victory for Clinton, who had fallen behind Obama in the New Hampshire polls in recent days. Her top campaign aides had appeared to be bracing for another loss.

Exit polls found Clinton with the solid support of female voters. She also won handily among registered Democrats, even as Obama led by an even larger margin among independents.

With more than two-thirds of the precincts reporting, Clinton had an edge of more than three points over Obama. The startling upset resurrects her bid for the White House.

McCain wins New Hampshire primary

John McCain is the winner of the New Hampshire Republican primary, completing a remarkable comeback and climbing back into contention for the GOP nomination.

McCain had once been seen as the GOP front-runner, but his fundraising and support collapsed last year. He rallied as the New Hampshire primary approached.

The Arizona senator rode a wave of support from independent voters to defeat former Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, a showing that reprised his victory in the traditional first-in-the-nation primary in 2000.

In an interview with The Associated Press, McCain says he's "grateful" to the people of New Hampshire, and he's going to move on to Michigan and South Carolina and win the nomination.

As for whether he's now the latest "comeback kid," McCain said: "I hate to use to the word `kid,' but I think we showed the people of this country what a real comeback looks like."

The outcome is a bitter blow for Romney. He spent millions of dollars of his own money in hopes of winning in Iowa and New Hampshire, but now he's finished second in both.

Mike Huckabee is running third in New Hampshire. He was the winner in Iowa.