NEW HAMPSHIRE RESULTS Republican 98% of precincts reporting McCain 49% Bush 31% Forbes 13% Keyes 6% Bauer 1% Democrats 98% of precincts reporting Gore 52% Bradley 47% Percentages will not necessarily add to 100. FROM THE GLOBE Democrats fight to a close finish Independents turn GOP contest Contrarians speak up, leaders get wake up call Arizona senator has found strength in his weaknesses Independent voters say character was key to decision Why they voted the way they did Result no setback for Bush backer Cellucci Primary shows off NBC synergy Independents seen taking up the insurgents' fight Bauer, Keyes unbowed as they vow to soldier on Forbes hopes to make it a three-way race Bush campaign says it's ready to move on In Granite State diner, a final helping of politics First primary settled, campaigns mull new tactics On campaign trail, it's a frantic pace Vow of tenacity keeps Bradley's spirits high, focus keen For vice president's campaign, no letup in asking for votes NECN VIDEO Forbes praises McCain win, asks for more support Keyes will stay in race, despite big N.H. loss Gore wins the Democratic N.H. primary over Bradley Bradley greets voters at polls Will Bradley triumph? Turnout heavy in Granite State Can McCain pull off a victory? Gore makes a last minute effort These video clips are viewed using RealPlayer. Get RealPlayer | Help EARLIER COVERAGE Gore wins close race among Democrats McCain savors big win over Bush in GOP race True to tradition, N.H. tests front-runners McCain impressed voters as straight shooter GOP voters happier with candidates than in '96 Independents say character was key to vote Granite State voters have their say N.H. Secretary of State again predicts high turnout Keys to reading the New Hampshire returns Bradley, McCain win Dixville Notch, Hart's Location

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- John McCain marveled at his good fortune, calling his New Hampshire victory a powerful boost toward the Republican presidential nomination. George W. Bush predicted his loss in the leadoff primary would be no more than a "bump in the road" on the way to the White House.

McCain, drawing nearly half the vote in a five-man field, attributed his big win Tuesday to his campaign's emphasis on campaign reform, tax cuts and getting the special interests out of Washington. He called his New Hampshire victory the start of "a great nation crusade."

"We have sent a powerful message to Washington that change is coming," the Arizona senator declared at a raucous victory party. "... It is the beginning of the end for the truth-twisting politics of Bill Clinton and Al Gore."

Bush was nothing but congratulatory to McCain, even as he dismissed the import of the Tuesday's results.

"New Hampshire has long been known as a bump in the road for front-runners, and this year will be no exception," he said. "The road to the Republican nomination is a long road. Mine will go through all 50 states, and I intend for it to end at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."

In a concession speech to supporters gathered at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, Bush added: "Mine is a campaign in every state of America, because mine is a message for every American."

As Bush spoke, his wife, Laura, smiled over his shoulder, as did his twin 18-year-old daughters, Jenna and Barbara, who were making their first appearance on the campaign trail.

McCain expressed surprise at his margin of victory. "No one, including us, expected the size of this victory," he told The Associated Press. "Obviously the message is what we think worked. ... This will give us the momentum we needed."

Publisher Steve Forbes tried to demonstrate his second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses was no fluke, but he was running about even with his showing in New Hampshire four years ago, when he drew 12 percent of the vote. Conservative activist Gary Bauer and former diplomat Alan Keyes sought to justify remaining in the race.

With 76 percent of precincts reporting, McCain had 81,173 votes or 49 percent; Bush had 50,334 votes or 30 percent; Forbes 20,982 votes or 13 percent; Keyes 10,630 votes or 6 percent; and Bauer 1,151 votes or 1 percent.

An AP analysis showed McCain was winning 10 out of the total 17 delegates at stake Tuesday. Bush was winning five delegates and Forbes two.

Forbes said New Hampshire showed that no candidate is the inevitable winner -- or loser. "I make this appeal to those who may have backed others because of inevitably, I plead with you, please come home," he said. "Make no mistake, this fight has just begun."

Bauer suggested he might not go the distance.

"I'm a fighter but I'm not delusional. We'll take it a day at a time," he said. He planned to return to his campaign headquarters in suburban Washington on Wednesday to gauge his support. Before departing, he said the voters of New Hampshire "have not endorsed me, but without hesitation I endorse them as being great citizens."

Keyes grumbled that it was time that "every voter of conscience stops looking for victory and starts voting for what is right."

As Forbes had a week earlier in Iowa, McCain largely focused his campaign on a single state, New Hampshire. His strategy was to score a victory in a primary that historically has supported political mavericks, then use the momentum to move on to South Carolina.

According to interviews with voters at polling places, one-third of Republican voters thought Bush lacked the "knowledge to serve effectively as president." Three in four of those voters picked McCain, with Forbes and Keyes sharing the rest.

McCain also won among those who viewed their finances as better than they were four years ago -- and among those whose situation is worse. He won among veterans and those who never served in the military. He took those who are married -- and those who are not.

In addition, McCain won among people interested in virtually every issue -- moral values, world affairs, Social Security and Medicare. The only group he lost was those who identified taxes as the most important issue -- the focus of Bush's campaign.

However, for those voters, their first choice was Forbes, followed by Bush.

The interviews were conducted by Voter News Service at polling places. VNS is a consortium of The Associated Press and major television networks and cable news outlets.