McCain Beats Romney in NH

The retooled Straight Talk Express pulled through for John McCain once again today, and the Arizona senator rebounded from second in the polls to repeat his 2000 victory in the New Hampshire Republican primary, numerous sources project. With 97% of precincts reporting, WMUR showed McCain drawing 38% of the vote, Mitt Romney with 32%, and Mike Huckabee with 11%.

"We showed the people of this country what a real comeback looks like," McCain told the AP. Romney congratulated him for a "first-class race" but vowed to fight on. Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul slugged it out for fourth place, but the ex-New York mayor pulled away from the libertarian congressman late. Nearly one-fifth of voters in the Republican primary—New Hampshire lets unenrolled voters vote in either party—said they made up their minds today.