News
By Emily Roper
|
February 2, 2000
CONCORD, N.H.--Vice President Al Gore (D) narrowly defeated rival Democratic candidate Bill Bradley by only five percentage points in yesterday's New Hampshire primary, edging further ahead of the former New Jersey senator in the quest to capture the Democratic presidential nomination.
The contest was so close that both candidates claimed victory, even though the results showed Gore won 52 percent to 47 percent, with 97 percent of precincts reporting.
Gore chose to portray this as a come-from-behind victory, saying recent polling had predicted an even closer race.
Bradley described the results as important progress for his campaign against the Democratic frontrunner.
Gore spoke triumphantly to supporters at his headquarters in Manchester.
"We're going to march all the way down the field, from state to state, coast to coast, and all the way to victory," he said.
Bradley also was pleased with the New Hampshire results.