MANCHESTER, N.H., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts won a landslide victory in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday after an amazing comeback.
With 87 percent of precincts reporting in, Kerry retained a sweeping 13 point lead over his nearest rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, former Vermont governor Howard Dean, with 26 percent.
Retired Gen. Wesley Clark trailed far behind in third place with 13 percent, just squeaking ahead of North Carolina Sen. John Edwards with 12 percent. Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman trailed in fifth with 9 percent.
The results appeared to deal a death blow to Lieberman's hopes and also eliminate Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich who was never expected to have a chance anyway. It was good news for Edwards who came late to the Granite State and it was just enough to keep Clark's faltering hopes alive.
But most of all, the results gave Kerry the massive boost he needed as his burgeoning campaign heads into the South and West over the next week. And it gives him hopes of wrapping up the nomination if he can stay ahead of Dean and Clark in the upcoming contests next Tuesday.
