Exit polls show that McCain's large margin of victory can be attributed to a record turnout of independent voters--41 percent of those voting Republican considered themselves independent.

According to exit polls, a third of Republicans thought Bush lacked the ''knowledge to serve effectively as president.'' Three fourths of those voters picked McCain, with the remaining votes split between Forbes and Keyes.

Only 7 percent of voters considered themselves evangelical Christians.

Though there are fewer Democrats in the state than Republicans, Gore supporters credited a huge turnout for their victory.

They credited his turnaround in the polls over the past month to a less rigid campaign style which de-emphasized Gore's Washington roots.

"Al really needed to change his campaign, and he did," said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) "He really honed his skills."

Despite the vote's narrow margin, Gore partisans at his New Hampshire victory party claimed a decisive victory.