CNN

(CNN) – New Hampshire independents, that demographic that propelled John McCain to wins in the state's 2000 and 2008 Republican primaries, heavily broke against him in the general election, according to exit polls.

Obama won just over 60 percent of the independent vote in the state, and considering independents make up 50 percent of the electorate in New Hampshire, it's the key reason why the Illinois senator carried the crucial swing state.