MANCHESTER – Sen. John McCain says he must win New Hampshire and he's confident Republican primary voters will give him another stunning victory here come Tuesday.

The Republican presidential hopeful made his declaration in an exclusive interview last night with the New Hampshire Union Leader as he arrived in Manchester for the final campaign push.

McCain, who won the state's primary in 2000 by 18 points, was asked if he needs to win New Hampshire. He leaned back in his chair, smiled at his wife and replied, "Oh, yeah." He then expressed confidence in a win, in part because of the results of the Iowa caucuses.

McCain said Mike Huckabee's success in Iowa was a good sign for his campaign in New Hampshire. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, once the poll leader in both states, has attacked Huckabee in Iowa and McCain in New Hampshire. Huckabee and McCain have fought back, but otherwise tried to steer clear of negative campaigning.

"He (Huckabee) has proven that you can't buy elections," McCain said. "He has shown negative ads don't work. I don't think it works in New Hampshire. It certainly didn't work in Iowa."

Earlier in the day, Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman stumped for McCain on the Seacoast.

Lieberman, who was headed for a mid-afternoon rally in Portsmouth's Market Square, said that if McCain wins next Tuesday, he can turn the campaign around because he's "the most electable Republican nominee."

Lieberman said he crossed party lines because he has worked with McCain for 19 years and believes in him.

"I know some Democrats are unhappy I've done this, but if you want to stand for something in our politics, you can't make everyone happy. . .," he said. "In the end, I've got to feel I'm doing something for our country. I think the Mac and the magic are back."

Union Leader Correspondent Clare Kittredge contributed to this report.