Giuliani Concedes New Hampshire, Not The Nomination

ABC News’ Jan Simmonds reports:  Conceding the New Hampshire Republican Primary this evening, Rudy Giuliani maintained that his unorthodox campaign strategy would pay off and he would in the end be the Republican Party’s nominee for the presidency.

"This is the kickoff for what is going to be a very long and very tough game, but one we are going to come out.  And by the time its over with, by February 5th, its gonna be clear that we are going to be the nominee of the party," Giuliani told a upbeat and energetic crowd who had gathered in a hotel ballroom in downtown Manchester.

Shortly after 8p Giuliani took the stage to congratulate the night’s winner, whose identity he had not yet learned.

"First of all I congratulate the winners of tonight’s primary, I don’t think it’s been officially called but later tonight on the way to the airport I am sure it will be called and I will make a call to the winner and congratulate him," he said. 

Briefly before Giuliani took the stage, ABC News had called the Republican Primary in favor of Arizona Senator John McCain, but according to the former mayor’s campaign he had not learned of the result prior to taking the stage. 

Campaigning tomorrow in Florida, Giuliani left the hotel immediately after his speech to make his way to the airport.  While driving to the airport, Giuliani learned McCain had been named the night’s winner and placed a call to congratulate him on a good race, his campaign reported.

While his showing in New Hampshire appears to likely result in a poor one, Giuliani and his campaign appeared undeterred on their quest to win the White House.

"There are a lot of places for which we can carry on this fight and we are going to prevail.  And we are going to continue our fight. Our journey has just begun, its going to take us to Florida in a few minutes so we can get an early start."

Tomorrow in Melbourne, Florida, Giuliani will unveil a new tax cutting proposal.