Clinton, McCain make a rebound

WASHINGTON: Hillary Rodham Clinton faces the challenging task of re-establishing herself as the clear Democratic front-runner after dealing rival Barack Obama a stunning loss in a New Hampshire elections race that also saw Republican John McCain staging a dramatic comeback.

Clinton rebounded on Tuesday night from her loss to Obama in last week's Iowa caucuses - the first key race in the 2008 presidential race - and defied polls and pundits to narrowly defeat the 46-year-old black senator of Kenyan descent, who packed rallies with his message of change. The win reinvigorated her bid to become the US' first female president.

"We're in it for the long haul," Clinton declared to a screaming crowd of supporters moments after being declared the winner. "Tomorrow, we're going to get up, roll up our sleeves and keep going."