Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has become the first woman to win a state presidential primary.
Last night she stunned political pundits and defied the polls that predicted a loss to Barack Obama.
As New Hampshire Public Radio’s Amy Quinton reports, even supporters were nervous up until the final hours.
Hillary Clinton celebrates her win in the 2008 primary. (Lauren Melcher, NHPR)
(Hillary, Hillary, Hillary)
Greeted by a familiar chant, Hillary Clinton claimed her victory over Senator Obama by a narrow three point margin.
She told supporters gathered in Manchester that her win shows what’s at stake with this election.
(we’ll be called upon to deliver on the promise that the middle class will prosper again to deliver on the promise that government will be of the people, by the people and for the people and not just the privileged few…applause
Her victory was a surprising show of strength.
Based on exit polls, she appealed to voters across the economic spectrum.
She ran particularly well among women, outdoing Obama by 13 points.
In the week leading up to the primary, strategists spoke of missteps of her campaign-- including her teary-eyed talk to voters this week.
But for many supporters that moment humanized her, capturing their vote…and Clinton thanked them.
(I want especially to thank New Hampshire, over the last week I listened to you and in the process I found my own voice)applause
Clinton and Obama exchanged cordial thanks to one another.
But in claiming second, Obama rebutted criticisms Clinton had aimed at him in recent days.
(we’ve been asked to pause for a reality check, we’ve been warned against offering the people of the nation false hope, but in the unlikely story that is America there has never been anything false about hope)
Obama won in some small towns and some cities including Keene, Dover and Portsmouth – but where Clinton needed to win, she won big – racking up thousands of votes in Manchester and Nashua.
Volunteer Chuck Rossier of Merrimack says he thought this would be close.
(For the past couple of months we’ve been making phone calls, and most of the people we got said I’m not going to decide until I get to the polls.)
And that kind of response from voters had Concord resident Abigail Courier keeping her fingers crossed all night.
“honestly, four hours ago I was nervous, no I was nervous right up until they called it, but I’m pumped”
Courier and other mostly female supporters said they were impressed with Clinton’s performance in the weekend debate, and that helped turn the tide for them.
“she really impressed me she really impressed me and she made me feel that more sure of myself in voting for her”
Clinton supporters are hoping her performance in New Hampshire will bode well for her campaign in other states….as one supporter put it, “We’re ready Mrs. President.” For NHPR news I’m Amy Quinton.
