On January 19, The Boston Globe published a poll showing Clinton ahead of the field with 29%, Paul Tsongas with 17%, and Bob Kerrey 16%.[1] Following this poll, reports of an extramarital affair between Clinton and Gennifer Flowers surfaced. As Clinton fell far behind former Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas in the New Hampshire polls,[2] Clinton and his wife Hillary went on 60 Minutes following the Super Bowl to deny the charges. The Clinton campaign also weathered attacks concerning alleged draft dodging during the Vietnam War and the case of Ricky Ray Rector.[1]
Tsongas won the New Hampshire primary with Clinton finishing within single digits of Tsongas, despite trailing badly in the polls. Since many expected Tsongas to win anyway, as New Hampshire borders his home state of Massachusetts, the media viewed the results as a victory for Clinton.[1] On election night, Clinton labeled himself "The Comeback Kid",[2] and he left New Hampshire with an increase in momentum in the remaining primaries,[3] which helped him win the nomination. Clinton became the first modern president elected despite not winning the New Hampshire primary. Since then, however, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden went on to win the presidency as non-incumbents, despite losing the New Hampshire primary.
