McCain wins big over Romney

The Republicans have no clear, galvanizing candidate so far.

NEWSDAY

Marking a big comeback, Arizona Sen. John McCain decisively won the New Hampshire Republican primary Tuesday.

McCain decisively beat his chief rival in the state, Mitt Romney, the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts, by an early margin of 37 percent to 28 percent.

He was projected the winner minutes after the polls closed by the Associated Press, CNN, Fox and MSNBC.

“I’m past the age where I can call myself a kid, no matter what the adjective is,” the 71-year-old McCain told cheering supporters who chanted “Mac is back” and “Mi-chi-gan,” the next primary state. “But tonight we showed them what a comeback is.”

He spoke of “restoring trust of the American people in government.”

From early in the counting, GOP rival Rudy Giuliani wasn’t even in the fight for a top tier, although he had spent time campaigning in the Granite State. His 9 percent thus far is behind Mike Huckabee’s 12 percent and virtually tied with Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Giuliani’s fiercest foe in televised debates.

Giuliani on Tuesday night was leaving the state again for Florida where he retreated for his Iowa loss Thursday and where he has said his strategy calls for a key win in delegate-rich states. Florida’s primary will be held Jan. 29.

“We’re going to continue our fight, our journey,” the former New York City mayor said. “We’re going to take it to Florida, we’re going to take off in a few minutes, but we’re going to continue to fight for lower taxes, we’re going to continue to fight for less government spending, and we’re going to continue to fight for access to private health care.”

Huckabee gave a folksier chat. “I love you guys,” he told supporters. “We really need to take America up and not down and that’s what we’re going to continue to do. ... We’re going to be back in New Hampshire because after we secure the nomination we’ve got to come back here and make sure we carry New Hampshire! ... I’ll even learn how to say chowdah!”

Helped by unseasonably fair weather, residents voted in record numbers — and a significant share decided very late whom to support, according to exit polls.

Nearly half of voters in each primary said they decided in the past week which candidate to support, The Associated Press reported. No winner was yet projected as of 8:20 p.m.

McCain’s victory further muddles a Republican race with no clear galvanizing candidate, with different contenders winning the early contests. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won the kickoff Iowa caucuses. Romney gained a victory in the little regarded Wyoming caucuses, but had counted upon a win in New Hampshire to right his massive campaign apparatus.

South Carolina provides another important opening for Huckabee because religious conservatives also play a large role in the Republican electorate. McCain will be hoping that his strong military credentials will play well in a state with the highest per capita tie to the military in the nation.

Michigan’s primary Tuesday would provide Romney with perhaps his last realistic chance to remain competitive. Romney grew up in Michigan and his father, George, was a popular governor there.