New Hampshire boosts Romney's White House bid

By Anne K Walters Jan 11, 2012, 6:09 GMT

Manchester, New Hampshire - Mitt Romney can see the road to the White House now.

After a clear victory in the nation's first primary in the northeastern state of New Hampshire, Romney sounded more like a candidate already facing President Barack Obama than one who must still secure wins in more than 40 states to get his Republican Party's nomination.

'Almost all the candidates are good, but he can get elected,' said David Stapleford. He and the rest of supporters at Romney's victory party cheered the news that he had won the primary.

Romney secured the New Hampshire win so quickly that he emerged for his victory speech just 30 minutes after the last polling stations closed, as results were just trickling in.

The tiny state of 1.3 million residents plays an outsized role in picking presidential contenders, and has traditionally held the first party primary. Along with the small central state of Iowa, which held inner-party caucuses last week, New Hampshire draws inordinate attention from candidates who spend months attempting to woo voters face-to-face.

Romney had been heavily favoured here, and the big question for political analysts had been who would come in second place. That prize went to Texas Congressman Ron Paul, whose anti-big-government message and isolationist foreign policy views appealed to the state's independent streak and to younger voters.

Romney's win in New Hampshire comes just a week after he barely squeaked out ahead in the Iowa caucuses, and imparts momentum for his bid in the southern states of South Carolina and Florida on January 21 and 31.

Romney drew enthusiastic applause from supporters who gathered at Southern New Hampshire University to help him celebrate his victory with 40 per cent. Paul snagged 23 per cent, and former Utah governor Jon Huntsman rounded out the top three at 17 per cent, with 95 per cent of the votes counted.

Romney, who governed the neighbouring state of Massachusetts, drew strong support in New Hampshire where he is a local favourite and the man with the skills needed to get the US economy back on track.

He also owns a vacation home in the state and has spent long stretches here with his family. After his failed attempt to secure the Republican nomination in 2008 - he lost to Senator John McCain in New Hampshire - he has invested large amounts of time in the state.

In fact, he drew so many supporters to his victory rally that several hundred were sent to an overflow gymnasium where his remarks were broadcast on a giant screen.

'We should have rented a bigger room,' a grateful Romney declared when he looked in on the overflow crowd after his speech. 'We're going to go on and pick up a few more states and become the nominee and defeat Barack Obama.'

His confidence may be warranted. No other non-incumbent has ever won both Iowa and New Hampshire. A win in South Carolina, where he is favoured in the polls, could secure the nomination as weaker candidates begin to bow out of the contest. Conservative Tea Party leader Michele Bachmann, a US congresswoman, dropped out last week after taking only 5 per cent of the Iowa vote.

But South Carolina, where evangelical Christians and social conservatives who tout family values and opposition to abortion, may be more of a challenge for Romney than the relatively moderate New Hampshire.

The Republican Party's conservative wing has sought to find a challenger among the ranks of the candidates to usurp Romney's presumed hold on the nomination. But though several candidates have risen to the fore in recent months, none has been able to hold onto that position for long.

His televised remarks did not even mention his Republican challengers except for a passing reference to an unnamed opponent and his attack ads. The reference was to opponent Newt Gingrich who in recent days has attacked Romney for laying off workers at companies he acquired through his work at company Bain Capital.

Former Pennsylvania governor Rick Santorum, who ended just eight votes shy of Romney in Iowa but landed in fifth place in Iowa with 9 per cent, could make a strong showing again in South Carolina with his emphasis on social values and populist economic message.

Former speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich took 10 per cent in New Hampshire, while Texas Governor Rick Perry took only 1 per cent.

Romney chose to ignore his opponents and instead struck a note that contrasted him with Obama.

'Americans know that our future is brighter and better than these troubled times,' he said, promising that the US would emerge from its economic problems. 'We still believe in the hope, promise and dream of America.'

New Hampshire voters meanwhile hope that the Romney they know will be able to win over voters elsewhere and sew up the nomination quickly to turn his attention to Obama.

'The work will have been done here and in South Carolina and in Florida,' said Harriet Sesen, who travelled from Massachusetts to cheer on her former governor. She sported a pink women for Romney button on her jacket.