Obama graceful in defeat after Hillary's triumph

New Delhi: Hillary Clinton is being touted as the Comeback Kid after losing Iowa and then sweeping New Hampshire.

Hillary bounced back with a vengeance, decisively turning back the challenge of Barack Obama.

In the final tally, Hillary Clinton held 39 per cent of the votes with Obama coming a close second with 36 per cent and John Edwards a distant third with 17 per cent.

“I felt like we all spoke from our hearts. I am so gratified that you responded. Now, together let’s give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me,” said Hillary to her cheering supporters.

For Obama, the loss after the lead he had built up in Iowa was a stunning setback.

There could be questions about his candidacy, that his victory in Iowa was a fluke, but Obama is determined to battle on and showed sportsmanship in defeat.

“I am still fired up and ready to go. Thank you. Well, first of all, I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard-fought victory here in New Hampshire. She's done an outstanding job. Give her a big round of applause,” said Obama.

If the Democrat race has now narrowed to two candidates, the Republican race is still wide open.

Senator John McCain was the winner in the New Hampshire caucus with 37 per cent, Mitt Romney was in second place with 31per cent of the vote and preacher-turned-politician Mike Huckabee, who had won resoundingly in Iowa, came a poor third 11 per cent.

“So my friends, so my friends, we celebrate one victory tonight and leave for Michigan tomorrow to win another,” said an elated McCain.

But for Mitt Romney, who also figured second in Iowa, the blow is devastating. But he is battling on and is heading for Michigan, which is holding its primary next Tuesday.

The Democrats, meanwhile, are concentrating on the caucuses in the state of Nevada on January 19 and the South Carolina primary on January 26.