Senator John Kerry overpowered Howard Dean to win New Hampshire's primary, scoring a second-straight campaign victory to establish himself as the front-runner in the Democratic race that will decide who will challenge George W. Bush for the presidency.
"I ask Democrats everywhere to join us so we can defeat George W. Bush and the economy of privilege," Kerry told supporters cheered by his political revival following his victory in the Iowa vote last week.
He promised to "reduce the poverty of millions rather than reducing the taxes of millionaires."
Senator John Edwards of North Carolina and former NATO commander Wesley Clark battled for third in Tuesday's vote, but far behind both Kerry at 39 percent and Dean at 26 percent. Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, sagging to fifth place, rejected advice from some advisers to abandon his bid.
After trooping through coffee shops, country stores and livings rooms of Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two states to hold ballots, the candidates now move to the cold realities of a national campaign -- airport rallies and multimillion-dollar ad buys in seven states holding contests next Tuesday.
Kerry, who reshaped the race with his stunning win in Iowa's caucuses Jan. 19, pledged to carry his momentum to every state. He assumes the weighty mantle of front-runner, a title that drew scrutiny to Dean's record and every lapse.
"He hasn't been in that position," Dean said of Kerry in an interview. "We'll find out what happens."
The four-term senator said he can handle it.
"I've been in public life for a long time, and I have been in tough races before and have been scrutinized," Kerry said. "I'm ready to lead our party to victory."
With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Kerry had 39 percent, Dean had 26 percent, Clark 12 percent, Edwards 12 percent and Lieberman 9 percent. It was a three-tier finish, with Dean as far behind Kerry as he was ahead of Clark and Edwards.
About 200,000 voters participated in the Democratic primary, easily eclipsing the record 170,000 turnout in 1992 when Paul Tsongas defeated then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton.
A total of seven Democrats are vying for their party's nomination to run against Bush in November elections. Votes will be held around the country in coming months to select delegates for the Democratic Party's national convention, which will chose a presidential candidate.
An AP analysis of the delegate count showed Kerry winning 13 delegates in New Hampshire and Dean capturing nine, while Edwards and Clark appeared to finish below the 15 percent vote threshold needed to win any delegates.
It has been a topsy-turvy Democratic race, with Dean leading New Hampshire polls by 25 percentage points when the year began, Kerry seizing a similar lead after Iowa and Dean gaining a bit of ground after an 11th-hour political overhaul.
"We were written off for months, and plugged on and showed people the determination we have to defeat President Bush," Kerry said.
Dean, the former five-term governor of Vermont who finished third in Iowa, lost New Hampshire by double digits -- less than he needed for a complete rebound or to erase doubts about his viability. He did manage about twice as many votes as either Edwards or Clark.
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