US Senator Kerry wins New Hampshire primary

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, January 29, 2004

US Senator Kerry wins New Hampshire primary

US Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts on Tuesday won the first Democratic primaryin New Hampshire, the second straight victory on his road to win the party's nomination as presidential candidate.

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US Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts on Tuesday won the first Democratic primaryin New Hampshire, the second straight victory on his road to win the party's nomination as presidential candidate.

With 90 percent of votes counted, Kerry beat former Vermont governor Howard Dean by 39 percent against 26 percent. Senator John Edwards of North Carolina was chasing retired general Wesley Clark for a distant third place.

Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut finished fifth, effectively putting his campaign in peril. But he vowed to stay onthe campaign trail.

"Thank you, thank you New Hampshire for lifting up this campaign," Kerry told supporters after his victory. "Together we can lift our country up to the America all of us know we can become," he said.

The back-to-back victory in both the first caucuses in Iowa last week and the first primary in New Hampshire would undoubtedlygive Kerry big momentum in his campaign to win the party's nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate.

In his victory speech, the four-term senator again, as he did in Iowa, targeted what he called "special interests" he said had taken over the White House. "I have a message for the influence peddlers," he said, "We're coming. You're going, and don't let thedoor hit you on the way out!"

Dean, who saw his lead in New Hampshire slipping after his third-place finish in Iowa, apparently failed to rebound sufficiently from his poor performance in Iowa caucuses.

But he insisted that a solid second finish would enable him to continue the fight as the primaries go to the national stage on Feb. 3, when seven southern or southwestern states hold primaries or caucuses.

"Until we do win, we'll always be a little disappointed," he told local television networks.

Edwards, who achieved a surprising strong performance in Iowa by finishing the second, said he was pleased with the his showing in the primary.

"You and I can create a world where once again America is looked up to and respected," Edwards told cheering supporters.

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio trailed far behind with about 1 percent of the votes.

About two hours after the polls closed, it appeared that the turnout would be a record roughly 200,000 people, surpassing the 184,000 who turned out for 1984 primary.

Exit polls during the day indicated that New Hampshire voters considered health care, the war in Iraq and the economy to be the top issues in the primary.

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