McCain, Clinton Win in New Hampshire

Senator John McCain won the Republican primary in New Hampshire, with the race being called for him early on. Senator Hillary Clinton beat Senator Barack Obama by a few thousand votes in a very close race. Comebacks all around!

Update, 11:06PM:
During her victory speech, Clinton thanked the voters of New Hampshire and asked them to give the country the comeback it needs. Unlike her Iowa background of friends like Madeline Albright and Wesley Clark, this time Hillary is standing in front of supporters (most of them the young).

Also, based on our rudimentary lipreading skills, it looked like Bill Clinton told her, "I'm really proud of you, I really am."

Update, 10:30PM:
NBC News is projecting Clinton will win. Was the emotional plea the big boost?

CNN projects Clinton's win as well, as does ABC News and CBS News. So, besides the crying thing, the big news is that the polls, showing Obama would win (if by a slight margin), were wrong.

Update, 10:00PM:
McCain gave his victory speech (MSNBC's Chris Matthews wasn't too happy about him reading the speech, but gave him props for overcoming so many trials) and noted that he was too old to be called "kid" no matter the adjective, “Tonight we sure showed them what a comeback looks like.” His supporters and staffers were amazed the race was called so soon; his media adviser Mark McKinnon told Politico's Jonathan Martin, "In the darkest days, he was always the guy who said 'soldier on.'"

Romney noted that he got the silver medal again, Mike Huckabee was thrilled with his third place finish, and Giuliani left NH and headed for Florida.

Clinton and Obama are separated by thousands of votes.

8:30PM: It's a hot night in cold New Hampshire: Various media outlets are calling the Republican primary for John McCain while Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are fighting it out for first. And 15% of the precincts are reporting!

Clinton is leading Obama by a few points. John Edwards looks likely to place third in th Democratic primary while Mike Huckabee will be third for the Republicans. Rudy Giuliani looks like he'll be in fourth, but if Ron Paul ekes out over him, that'll be humiliating - especially given how many events he's had there. Overall, turnout seems to be at record levels.

We'll have more updates later. In the mean time, check out CNN's interactive about what's at stake in NH, how Obama staffers are annoyed at Clinton's mention of Martin Luther King Jr., and ad spending in NH.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on January 8, 2008 8:53 PM

Comments [rss]

yoplay

The Mccain photo was obviously taken moments before putting that thumb to use in the hillary photo.

eyekantspel

middle name aside, Obama has a lot more crossover appeal than Clinton. He might be a lightweight, but he has charisma and doesn't carry the political baggage that Hillary does. Republicans would likely turn out in droves just to vote against Hillary. My guess is that a fair number of moderate Republicans would consider voting for Obama, or might opt out of voting depending on who the Republican candidate ends up being (so far, none of them have proven to be particularly compelling candidates).

Elderta

McCain's too old to be president.

The Repubs will go crazy if either Clinton or Obama wins the nomination. They hate her with a passion, and Obama's middle name is Hussein. They are already using that against him.

But really, any of the Dems are better than another Republican in the WH.

megs

Maybe she should vomit and hold her breath until she passes out, if it looks bad in South Carolina.

JRod5417

Not surprised she won as NH is one of the whitest states in the country.

blablanyc

None of the above '08

yakatori

She's like a spoiled brat who doesn't get her way and cries. So in order to shut her up NH gives in to her.

Laverne/Shirley '08

Rocknrope

Shows you that polls are about as useful as statistics.

Madison/Unger '08

Bottomless Chips

Hmm, isn't it a bit odd that around 10 polls had Obama at around an average of +7% over Hillary on 1/7. And then she wins by 3.5%?

And importantly, Obama won the hand counted counties while Clinton won the Diebold counties...

Dirk

Nothing is a sure thing in politics. To assume otherwise is to have your head in the sand.

Tim N.

Folks, I could vote for any of the main three Democratic candidates and hold my head high. But I have to tell you, if it comes down to McCain and Obama, McCain's winning that race.

And the Democratic Party... my party... will have found yet another way to screw up a sure thing. Sigh.

theloofyourlife

it was so close, they get the same amount of delegates from NH. (The 9) Obama still has the lead.

Clinton - 110,550 -39% - 9

Obama -102,883 - 37% - 9

Albert Sharpton

Kennedy/ Lincoln

Bouncing Soul

Gore/Nader '08

That could only make this political comedy ten times better!

Snoopy

Gore/Clinton

chuzzlewit

Obama/McCain then.

Elderta

Believe me, I would much rather have it Obama/and anybody else.

freddyhere

Obama/Edwards 08.

That would be sweet...

matty

Also i am upset because the Dem party have tried to get clinton followers in the white house for 8 8years now. Gore and Kerry are indicative of that. Hillary does not represent change. Obama McCain and Edwards do.

If Clinton wins I am voting republican.