US presidential hopefuls Mr John Kerry and Mr Howard Dean were battling their way to the finish line in the New Hampshire primary tonight as voters helped choose who would challenge Mr George W Bush.
As Democratic voters braved freezing temperatures, Vietnam veteran Mr Kerry launched a late offensive against his closest challenger, former Vermont Governor Mr Dean.
"Unlike Howard Dean, I've fought in a war and I know the responsibilities of commander-in-chief, of how you send young men and women off to war," said the Massachusetts Senator.
Mr Dean lost his front-runner position to Mr Kerry when he came a shock third place at the Iowa caucuses last week.
He continued to lag in the opinion polls over the weekend but appeared to be making a resurgence at the last minute.
Often cast as the "angry man" of the campaign, he said: "I think what we need in Washington is somebody who's going to stand up and say what they think.
"It may not be popular and it may not always be politic, but I think a lot of people have given up on this country and we want to give them hope again," he told NBC.
Success in New Hampshire is seen as key to going on to win the party ticket to run in the presidential election in November, although a victory is not essential.