Obama Rallies Troops After Surprise Loss

Presidential contender Barack Obama consoled and rallied troops suffering from political whiplash last night after the Illinois senator did far worse than expected in the New Hampshire primary just five days after his Iowa triumph. "We always knew our climb would be steep," Obama conceded to supporters, but added: "Nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change." He now needs to convince supporters that his Iowa victory was not a mirage, writes the Washington Post.

Obama did well with independents, but Clinton prevailed with women and registered Democrats. The campaign's discipline will be tested by the "prolonged siege," as Time puts it, of the packed primary schedule ahead, which will make it harder for the charismatic Obama to reach individual voters. In a boost, the 17,500-member Nevada chapter of the Service Employees International Union yesterday endorsed his candidacy.