By wplog

Published Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008 | 5:22 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | 2:14 p.m.

Hillary Clinton and John McCain pulled off an early election comeback Tuesday night as they respectively won the Democratic and Republican nods in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary. Sen. Clinton, who was coming off a third-place finish in Iowa, rebounded to defeat Sen. Barack Obama with 39 percent of the vote with 96 percent precincts reporting, according to CNN. Obama finished with 37 percent, while John Edwards finished third with 17 percent.

On the Republican side, McCain — whose campaign had nearly collapsed over the summer — also enjoyed a resurgence, holding off rival Mitt Romney with a 37 to 32 percent advantage with 95 percent of the precincts in. Iowa caucus winner, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee took third with 11 percent.

"We showed this country what a real comeback looks like," the Arizona senator told The Associated Press.

Clinton was just as exuberant: "I felt like we all spoke from our hearts and I am so gratified that you responded," she said in victory remarks before cheering supporters. "Now together, let's give America the kind of comeback that New Hampshire has just given me."

The candidates will get that opportunity next in Michigan on Jan. 15 — four days before the Democratic race heads west when Nevada holds its early caucus on Jan. 19.