Kerry takes control of race with big New Hampshire win

Reuters, Manchester
John Kerry took firm command of the Democratic presidential race with a big win over Howard Dean in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, cementing his grip on the front-runner's role and dealing another setback to Dean's reeling campaign.

Kerry, the Massachusetts senator whose come-from-behind win in the Iowa caucuses last week turned the 2004 presidential race upside down, scored his second consecutive victory in the race to pick a Democratic challenger to President Bush.

"I have only just begun to fight," Kerry told cheering supporters in Manchester, urging them to "stand with us" on a drive to evict Bush from the White House.

In nearly complete returns, Kerry led Dean 39 percent to 26 percent, sending him into next week's crucial round of seven Democratic state contests on a huge wave of momentum.