Clinton, McCain emerge as winners of New Hampshire primary

Source: Xinhua | 01-09-2008 13:40

BEDFORD, United States, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican Senator John McCain won their parties' primaries in New Hampshire Tuesday, an important battlefield for choosing candidates for this year's presidential election.

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator  Hillary Clinton (D-NY) holds up a cup as she  arrives in Concord, New Hampshire Jan. 8, 2008,  the day of the New Hampshire Primary.   (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Clinton won the first primary with 39 percent of votes, with her rival Barack Obama trailing with 36 percent. Previous polls showed that Obama enjoyed a lead over Clinton in the state.

Appearing at her primary night, Clinton addressed supporters saying "thank you" more than 10 times. "In the process, I found my own voice," she said.

Obama congratulated Clinton on her win, which was the climax toa tense race in which the two candidates were neck and neck for three hours.

However, he insisted that he was "ready to go" to campaign in other states.

According to CNN exit polls, 47 percent of female voters cast ballots for Clinton, compared to 34 percent for Obama.

Another poll released by MSNBC TV showed that 42 percent of black voters supported Clinton while 35 percent endorsed Obama.

Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator  John McCain (R-AZ) greets supporters at his New  Hampshire primary night rally in Nashua Jan. 8, 2008. McCain capped a stunning comeback from the political  scrap heap on Tuesday, beating Mitt Romney in New  Hampshire to give new life to his once struggling  U.S. Republican presidential campaign.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Campaign observers told CNN that the two will remain tied in the following primaries and caucuses.

Republican candidate McCain also won the primary with 37 percent of the party's vote, defeating his party rival Mitt Romney with a 5-point lead.

McCain's victory was aided by large support from independent voters.

The 71-year-old Arizona Senator's win dealt a bitter blow to Romney, who finished second in both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei