With two major news organizations projecting her the winner of the Democratic Primary, Sen. Hillary Clinton defied the pundits and polls by scoring a narrow victory over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

With 60 percent of the vote counted at 11 p.m. both The Associated Press and CNN declared Clinton the winner although the other news organizations had not yet making that call.

"I think people are hopeful," said Clinton supporter and state Sen. Kathy Sgambati earlier in the evening. "So many polls had her defeated."

Attempts to reach state Sen. Deb Reynolds of Plymouth, another Clinton supporter, were successful, but the party in Manchester was so loud she could not be heard.

The latest polls had Obama defeating Clinton handily. The most recent Reuters/CSPAN/Zogby gave a 13 point edge to Obama while Rasmussen was a little more conservative polling Obama at 37 percent to Clinton's 30.

"I'm very pleased about the results in Franklin," said state Rep. Jim Ryan who was the chair of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden's campaign, but joined Clinton when Biden left the race. He said it was the blue-collar and small towns that put her over the top.

"The campaign is re-energized, refocused, and recharged and it will mean a competitive, robust series of further primaries, but ultimately, I think she'll be successful," said Ryan.

"Jim. You're the man," former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack said in a text message to Ryan after CNN called the race for Clinton. "I want you in my foxhole."

Franklin Democrats voted overwhelmingly for Clinton, chalking up 777 votes to Obama's 452. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards finished back in the pack.

"I would have loved to see him do better, but I can't say it was unexpected," said State Rep. Leigh Webb who supported Edwards. "I think he's still viable and he has a good message."

Lancaster State Rep. Scott Merrick signed on with the Richardson campaign in October and said he was "a little bummed."

"It's frustrating to have people tell you he's the best candidate but say they didn't vote for him because they didn't think he could win in November," said Merrick.

Obama supporter Pat Clark of Tilton initially supported Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd but signed on to the Obama camp when Dodd quit the race.

"I think they're not going to have me work any more," said Clark laughing at his seeming inability to pick the winner.

"They had a great campaign," said Clark, noting that Clinton had workers at every poll in the area.

Clark said a win for Clinton is going to be a big deal for her campaign.

Visiting Clark is his nephew, Matt Clark, who is a political science major at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, who came with a friend to experience the New Hampshire primary. He said his nephew's friend thinks a Clinton win in New Hampshire spells the end for Obama, while Matt thinks Obama has charisma and will prevail.

"I predict she'll cry again in the future," said Clark, showing a sharp sense of humor and a little bit of double entendre.