Robert Beckel, Mondale's national campaign manager, credited Hart with "having the perfect ways," adding that Hart profited from weakness in the rest of the field.

"We believe our potential here was between 30 and 40 percent," Beckel said, "and we didn't expect Glenn would do as badly as he did in Iowa."

Beckel predicted. "Hart won't do well in the South or in the industrial states."

In the delegate competition, Hart won 10 delegates and Mondale eight. None of the other contenders reached the threshhold needed to win delegates. Mondale still holds the overall lead for the nomination, with an estimated 180 to 36 for Glenn and 25 for Hart. There will be about 4000 delegates at the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco this summer.

The Stragglers

For the rest of the eight-man Democratic field, yesterday's results may mean the end of the road Cranston announced an "important" news conference for 7:30 a.m. this morning, and there is speculation that he may drop out of the race.

Cranston who had put much of his resources into Iowa was dealt a major setback with his fourth place finish Cranston, who had hoped to use a strong Iowa showing to slingshot his candidacy beyond dark horse status was even weaker in New Hampshire.

Jackson and McGovern, who battled for fourth place as results trickled in throughout the evening will probably stick it out until Super Tuesday.

McGovern won only Massachusetts in the 1972 general election, and he is considered strong in this state this year.

"I have said since 1972 that the wisest voters are in Massachusetts," McGovern joked before supporters.

Hollings and Askew told supporters their campaigns will continue.

In addition to winning several thousand write in votes in the Democratic contest. Reagan won against three minor opponents in the Republican primary.

Paul Duke Jr., Peter J. Howe, and John N. Rosenthal contributed to this report