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Wednesday, February 2, 2000
McCain stuns Bush, 49-31%
Gore solidifies lead over Bradley
By Ron Fournier
Associated Press
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Arizona Sen. John McCain scored a landslide victory over George W. Bush on Tuesday in New Hampshire's leadoff primary, puncturing the Texas governor's aura as the inevitable Republican nominee. McCain rolled up 49 percent of the GOP vote, Bush 31.
With their first head-to-head contest behind them, the Republican rivals leave New Hampshire to resume their fight in the Deep South, where the stakes are higher than ever. McCain's chances of capturing the nomination - considered virtually nonexistent just a few months ago - now hinge on his ability to beat Bush in their next confrontation, South Carolina's Feb. 19 primary.
Bush has long considered the state his firewall, the spot where he can snuff out his insurgent rival once and for all. Polls show the Texas governor with a comfortable lead, but McCain's New Hampshire victory could convince South Carolina voters to take a second look.
If nothing else, the outcome Tuesday showed that Bush, who once seemed unbeatable, can be beaten.
But Bush retains some formidable advantages over his rival.
"Bush obviously has a money advantage, he has a name-recognition advantage, he has an organizational advantage," said Brad Gomez, a political science professor at the University of South Carolina. "McCain certainly has a good deal of work to do in the next few weeks."
McCain is not campaigning in next Tuesday's Delaware primary, leaving Bush free to deal with publisher Steve Forbes, who won the GOP contest four years ago. After South Carolina, the candidates face a rapid-fire series of primaries, beginning with Arizona and Michigan three days later.
Gore is winner
Vice President Al Gore defeated challenger Bill Bradley in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday, solidifying his lead for the Democratic presidential nomination. With more than half the precincts counted, Gore had 52 percent of the vote, Bradley 47.
The former New Jersey senator congratulated Gore and told The Associated Press, "We're going to keep moving forward."
Gore's victory, much smaller than his smashing triumph in last week's Iowa caucuses, left Bradley still playing catch-up as the Democratic race prepared to take a five-week hiatus. The next primaries are March 7 in a dozen states, including New York and California.
Even before the polls closed, Bradley, in a reversal, had challenged Gore to debate at least once a week, starting this Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "It's a whole new day," said his press secretary, Eric Hauser.
Previously, the former New Jersey senator had rejected Gore's challenge for twice-weekly debates and an end to television spots. The only current scheduled debate between the two Democrats is March 1 in Los Angeles.
The Gore camp said it would accept the challenge. "We'll work out the details," said Doug Hattaway, the vice president's New Hampshire press secretary.
17 GOP delegates at stake
In returns from 56 percent of New Hampshire's 300 Republican precincts, McCain had 49 percent of the vote compared to 31 for Bush. Millionaire publisher Steve Forbes was a distant third at 13 percent and former Amb. Alan Keyes was at 6.
An AP analysis predicted McCain would get 10 out of the total 17 delegates at stake Tuesday. Bush would get five delegates and two would go to Forbes.
Social conservative Gary Bauer barely registered and was struggling to survive. "I'm a fighter but I'm not delusional," Bauer said, before flying home to Virginia to take stock of his candidacy. Aides said campaign stops were still on this week's schedule.
Forbes had to be disappointed, too, finishing little better than he did in the 1996 primary, after investing four years and millions of dollars for a second GOP bid.
AP's Democratic analysis showed Gore leading for 12 out of the 22 delegates at stake and Bradley would get 10.
Bradley was rocked by last week's landslide loss to Gore in Iowa's caucuses. The New Hampshire campaign left was close enough to give Bradley hope, but made his work all the harder against the sitting vice president backed by the Democratic Party's establishment.
Both Gore and Bradley plan to campaign on both coasts this week.
McCain's gargantuan victory was certain to raise questions about Bush's strategy, relying on photo opportunities and scripted speeches while McCain held dozens of free-wheeling town hall meetings, appealing to finicky New Hampshire voters who expect a personal touch.
McCain needed the victory here and practically guaranteed it in the runup. He had led the two-term Texas governor in most polls here for eight weeks, though the margin narrowed as Election Day neared and Bush continued to pile up an enormous advantage in fund raising.
The New York Times contributed to this report.
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