Comeback Kids Win in NH

Well, I'll admit it. I called the Democratic side way wrong--along with the media and 99% of the pundits. But let's take a look at the official results from the New Hampshire primary.

Democrats:
1.) Clinton 39%
2.) Obama 37%
3.) Edwards 17%
4.) Richardson 5%
5.) Kucinich 1%
6.) Gravel 0%

Republicans:
1.) McCain 37%
2.) Romney 32%
3.) Huckabee 11%
4.) Giuliani 9%
5.) Paul 8%
6.) Thompson 1%
7.) Hunter 1%

There are many reasons being brought forth as to why Hillary Clinton won the New Hampshire Democratic primary last night, despite poor showing in the polls.

The media and the Barack Obama campaign are saying that it was her emotional moment on Monday at a diner in New Hampshire that propelled her to victory.

Sorry guys, not even close.

I think that that incident may have shown some undecided voters that she has a more human side, but it hardly propelled her to victory.

She was down by at least 8 percentage points in most polls and predictions (including my own) leading up to last night. One nearly-tearful moment can't overcome that much of a deficit.

It was really a combination of her incredible ground support, organization, and history with the people of New Hampshire that helped her get an essential win last night. This was a huge win for the Clinton campaign.

Last night's results were certainly a blow to the Obama campaign, considering the poll numbers leading up to yesterday.

But Obama is diligently pressing on, first stopping by in New Jersey, then to a fundraiser in Manhattan, then on to Nevada and South Carolina--the next two states to vote in this nomination process.

On the Republican side, the results were not shocking. John McCain's victory was expected, but still nonetheless remarkable considering his position in the campaign just this past summer, where he nearly ran out of money. This was truly a comeback for the Arizona senator.

New Hampshire Republican voters and independents looked past his liberal stance on immigration and voted for him over the struggling Mitt Romney.

McCain won by a large margin among registered independents--as he did in 2000--but was virtually tied with Romney among registered Republicans.

Romney seems to be fading quickly in this race. He is focusing all of his money and attention on the next state to vote--Michigan--his home state where his father was also governor.

He is hoping that this personal connection with the state will help to keep his campaign alive. If he loses there, expect him to at least consider dropping out.

Mike Huckabee came in third last night, followed closely by Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul. Huckabee is looking forward to South Carolina, where he thinks his evangelical influence and southern roots will help him win in that crucial state in a week and a half.

Well, there you have it. A surprise finish for the Democrats, an expected finish for the Republicans.

Here's two things I learned from last night: never trust the polls, and never ever trust the media's predictions.