McCain, Clinton win first N.H. straw poll

NASHUA – Republican John McCain and Democrat Hillary Clinton came out on top of their respective parties in the first straw poll taken in New Hampshire for the 2008 campaign.

In the straw poll, the 450 attendees at a Nashua Chamber of Commerce dinner Tuesday night chose either the Democratic or Republican ballot.

Chris Williams, president of the Nashua chamber, said the poll gave an early indication of what community leaders in the Nashua area are thinking about with regard to 2008.

What might be more interesting in the poll is who didn’t fair well. John Kerry didn’t finish in the top three.

Results:

Republican
McCain 37 percent
Giuliani 27 percent
Romney 21 percent

Democrat
Clinton 28 percent
Obama 26 percent
Edwards 21 percent