Clinton wins Democratic primary

Democrat Hillary Clinton has won New Hampshire's presidential primary, beating rival candidate Barack Obama into second place.

Earlier, John McCain won the Republican presidential primary with a substantial lead, media projections indicated.Observers say it seems to have been a record-breakingturnout, with some half a million people having cast ballots.

Candidates are aiming to build momentum before more than 20states hold polls on 5 February, known as Super Tuesday. Senator Clinton told a cheering crowd of supporters that: "I come tonight with a very, very full heart "I want especially to thank New Hampshire. Over the last week I listened to you and in the process I found my own voice.

I felt like we all spoke from our hearts and I am so gratified that you responded." She echoed her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who in New Hampshire's primary in 1992 called himself the "comeback kid". "Now together let's give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me," she said.

The BBC's Justin Webb, reporting from Mrs Clinton's celebration rally, says she not only repeated her husband's feat but perhaps improved on it, because the opinion polls, the Obama team and the media had suggested strongly that victory was his. In conceding victory Senator Obama said: "I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard fought victory here in New Hampshire. She did an outstanding job, give her a big round of applause."

Wednesday, 9 January 2008