MANCHESTER, N.H.--In the first-in-the-nation primaries here yesterday, conservative commentator Patrick J. Buchanan won a surprising 41 percent of the vote, while former Massachusetts Sen. Paul E. Tsongas emerged victorious in the Democratic primary.

Both candidates said last night that they viewed the results as a message condemning President Bush's performance in Washington.

Though Bush topped Buchanan with 57 percent of the vote, the commentator's strong showing dealt the president an embarrassing blow in the Republican contest. Buchanan campaign aides said they see the outcome, determined with 70 percent of precincts reporting, as a reflection of Republicans' desire for change.

Buchanan captured nine of the 23 New Hampshire delegates who will go to the Republican National Convention in August.

Tsongas said he was satisfied with his 34-percent finish, though his principal rival, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, finished in better position than expected, with 26 percent of the Democratic vote. The race for third was unresolved for several hours after polls closed last night. With 97 percent of all precincts reporting, Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey had 12 percent, Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin had 11 percent and former California Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. tallied nine percent.

Tsongas and Clinton evenly split the state's 18 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, which will take place in July.

New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, who was the subject of an active though unsolicited write-in compaign, gathered only three percent of the total vote. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader received two percent and actor Tom Laughlin, who starred in the "Billy Jack" movies, non one percent.

At his victory rally last night, Buchanan likened his supporters to members of an army battling the Washington Republican establishment.

"Now we must go forward," Buchanan said to a packed room at a restaurant south of Manchester. "What began as a little rebellion has emerged...as a full-fledged American revolution."

Buchanan stopped short of discussing the general election at his celebration, but emphasized the need for success in the southern states on March 10, known as Super Tuesday.

"Now that the great battle of New Hampshire is won, we face the battle of the South," Buchanan said.

Bush, who remained at the White House all day yesterday, cancelled a scheduled ession with reporters last night. He issued a written statement, however, which did not claim victory and which suggested his disappointment with the support shown for Buchanan.

"This election was for closer than many had predicted," Bush said in the statement. "I think the opponents on both sides reaped the harvest of New Hamp-shire's economy."

William Bennett, a former Bush cabinet member, said in a Cable News Network interview that the President will have to recognize Buchanan as a serious threat and to form an aggressive campaign in the race for the nomination.

"Kinder and gentler is over," Bennett said.