Obama warns against overconfidence

On the way to New Hampshire today for his first campaign rally after Wednesday night's debate, Democrat Barack Obama cited his loss in the Granite State's primary to caution his supporters about overconfidence.

While John McCain landed a few jabs during the debate, Obama bobbed and weaved enough to avoid a big blow, and punched back as well. Many saw it as McCain's last chance to seriously dent Obama's momentum.

But Obama reminded backers at a breakfast fund-raiser in New York City that after his win in the Iowa caucuses and the huge crowds he drew in New Hampshire, many believed he would win -- and all but clinch the Democratic nomination.

"For those of you who are feeling giddy or cocky or think this is all set, I have two words for you: New Hampshire," Obama said. "I've been in these positions before where we were favored and the press starts getting carried away, and we end up getting spanked."

In the January primary in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton pulled off her own version of the "comeback kid" routine, setting the stage for the long, bitter primary campaign that didn't end until June, but ended up making Obama a stronger candidate.

"That’s another good lesson that Hillary Clinton taught me, so we want to make sure that we are closing strong, running through the tape,” Obama said.