Obama sweeps to victory as first black president
Photo 
Supporters arrive for the election night party for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008.
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation's first black president Tuesday night in an electoral college landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself. "Change has come," he told to a huge throng of jubilant supporters.
The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his historic triumph by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states - Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Iowa and more.
On a night for Democrats to savor, they not only elected Obama the nation's 44th president but padded their majorities in the House and Senate, and come January will control both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1994.
Obama's election capped a meteoric rise - from mere state senator to president-elect in four years.
In his first speech as victor, to thousands at Grant Park in his home town of Chicago, Obama catalogued the challenges ahead. "The greatest of a lifetime," he said, "two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century."
He added, "There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face."
McCain called his former rival to concede defeat - and the end of his own 10-year quest for the White House. "The American people have spoken, and spoken clearly," McCain told disappointed supporters in Arizona.
President Bush added his congratulations from the White House, where his tenure runs out on Jan. 20. "May God bless whoever wins tonight," he had told dinner guests earlier.
Obama, in his speech, invoked the words of Lincoln and echoed John F. Kennedy.
"So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder," he said.
He and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, will take their oaths of office as president and vice president on Jan. 20, 2009.
Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.
The popular vote was close - 51.3 percent to 47.5 percent with 73 percent of all U.S. precincts counted - but not the count in the Electoral College, where it mattered most.
There, Obama's audacious decision to contest McCain in states that hadn't gone Democratic in years paid rich dividends.
Obama has said his first order of presidential business will be to tackle the economy. He has also pledged to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months.
A survey of voters leaving polling places on Tuesday showed the economy was by far the top Election Day issue. Six in 10 voters said so, and none of the other top issues - energy, Iraq, terrorism and health care - was picked by more than one in 10.
In Washington, the Democratic leaders of Congress celebrated.
"It is not a mandate for a party or ideology but a mandate for change," said Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
Said Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California: "Tonight the American people have called for a new direction. They have called for change in America."
Shortly after midnight in the East, The Associated Press count showed Obama with 338 electoral votes, well over the 270 needed for victory. McCain had 141 after winning states that comprised the normal Republican base.
Interviews with voters suggested that almost six in 10 women were backing Obama nationwide, while men leaned his way by a narrow margin. Just over half of whites supported McCain, giving him a slim advantage in a group that Bush carried overwhelmingly in 2004.
The results of the AP survey were based on a preliminary partial sample of nearly 10,000 voters in Election Day polls and in telephone interviews over the past week for early voters.
Democrats also acclaimed Senate successes by former Gov. Mark Warner in Virginia, Rep. Tom Udall in New Mexico and Rep. Mark Udall in Colorado. All won seats left open by Republican retirements.
In New Hampshire, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen defeated Republican Sen. John Sununu in a rematch of their 2002 race, and Sen. Elizabeth Dole fell to Democrat Kay Hagan in North Carolina.
The Democrats also looked for gains in the House. They defeated Republican incumbents Rep. Tom Feeney and Ric Keller in Florida, 22-year veteran Chris Shays in Connecticut and Rep. Robin Hayes in North Carolina.
At least two Democrats lost their seats. Rep. Tim Mahoney fell after admitting to two extramarital affairs while serving his first term in Florida. In Louisiana, Democratic Rep. Don Cazayoux lost the seat he had won in a special election six months ago.
The resurgent Democrats also elected a governor in one of the nation's traditional bellwether states when Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon won his race.
A dozen states elected governors, and ballots across the country were dotted with issues ranging from taxes to gay rights.
An estimated 187 million voters were registered, and in an indication of interest in the battle for the White House, 40 million or so had already voted as Election Day dawned.
Obama sought election as one of the youngest presidents, and one of the least experienced in national political affairs.
That wasn't what set the Illinois senator apart, though - neither from his rivals nor from the other men who had served as president since the nation's founding more than two centuries ago. A black man, he confronted a previously unbreakable barrier as he campaigned on twin themes of change and hope in uncertain times.
McCain, a prisoner of war during Vietnam, a generation older than his rival at 72, was making his second try for the White House, following his defeat in the battle for the GOP nomination in 2000.
A conservative, he stressed his maverick's streak. And although a Republican, he did what he could to separate himself from an unpopular president.
For the most part, the two presidential candidates and their running mates, Biden and Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, spent weeks campaigning in states that went for Bush four years ago.
McCain and Obama each won contested nominations - the Democrat outdistancing former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton - and promptly set out to claim the mantle of change.
Obama won California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
McCain had Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.
He also won at least 3 of Nebraska's five electoral votes, with the other two in doubt.
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Nov 5, 2008 at 4:07 p.m.
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zoom---does the word "humility" exist in your vocabulary?
Nov 5, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.
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well said Kleej...(did I just say that?)
Anyway, Obama beat McCain by a 2-1 margin in Rock County. Wow.
John McCain made a great concession speech last night. The fact is, we all have to work to make things better. I think President-elect Obama gives us the best chance to end this bipartisan bickering. I hope this finally puts a nail in the coffin of Karl Rove style politics. McCain showed conviction and b***s by not dragging out the Wright issue at the end of the campaign (though another did it for him). The Obama campaign has shown the way, by organizing at the grass roots level, unseen in decades. I hope this is a turning point in our history, but it will only happen if regular Americans become engaged again. We can hope.
Nov 5, 2008 at 1:23 a.m.
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Tara2287, I can't believe he's been elected and we're still dealing with hoax e-mails, but you have fallen for a hoax e-mail. Obama is not of Arab ancestry. His Kenyan roots are well-documented among the Luo people. The reason that his name is Arabic is that Arab cultures ruled the coastal states of Africa for centuries (beginning well before the creation of Islam, by the way). One might as well assume that because Obama speaks the English language, he must be of British ancestry. Language, ethnicity, and religion are not things that are automatically linked. In fact, three quarters of Kenyans are Christian, and only 10% Muslim.
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But as Colin Powell almost said, what if he were Arab-American? Is there something wrong with being Arab in America? Of course not. Famous Arab-Americans include Casey Kasem, Sen. George Mitchell, Doug Flutie, Bobby Rahal, Paula Abdul, Ralph Nader, Jacques Nasser, and many others. In fact, both 2008 candidates for U.S. Senator from New Hampshire -- winner Jeanne Shaheen and John Sununu -- are Arab-Americans.
http://www.aaiusa.org/arab-americans/23/...
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This is a country that welcomes all people of all races, creeds, and backgrounds. The Statue of Liberty is there to celebrate our continued commitment as a nation to being a beacon of hope and opportunity for the rest of the world. If anyone proves that we still are, it is Barack Obama.
Nov 5, 2008 at 1:15 a.m.
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kleej----
I agree with you. This is the time to come together. Being negative never helps anything. I believe God put Obama in office for a reason. I'm choosing to give him the benefit of the doubt as well. Let's move forward!
Nov 5, 2008 at 1:11 a.m.
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I will be the first to tell people I was not a huge Obama supporter, nor a big McCain person either. I voted for McCain because I questioned Obama's character. Now that Mr. Obama has been elected as our next president, I have no problem rallying around this man and giving him the benefit of the doubt. If people truly listened to what he was saying, it's in everyone's best interest to do the same! I've been saying all along, this country's biggest glaring weakness is we are not unified! I'm praying this will be the change we all need to make that happen. People will badmouth and people will mock him, but, it's not going to help our mission if we choose to be bitter about things! I will support our new president and represent this country with the dignity and set of values Mr. Obama spoke of in his victory speach. It's within all of us to bring positive change to this country. President Obama can't do it himself. I'm "All In".....................
Nov 5, 2008 at 12:17 a.m.
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To me,i look at our new president as a man,i do not care what color a man is,you can see in his eyes he IS an american,and cares about all of ours futures. I would say this to who ever won today,do the job the best you can,for the people that hired you. Work for us,the american people,that's all we ask,in return,you will get our utmost gratitude & respect. Bush & your puppets can go to he--,you never were here to work for us,only your own kind. If Bush were a color,i would throw it away,i wouldn't want it to poison the other colors in the box.
Nov 5, 2008 at 12:14 a.m.
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The outcome of this election gives me hope-and if the majority of Americans have the same attitude of most of the posters below-it gives me even more hope.
Those of you who wanted McCain to be our president (if that is why you seem angry)-you would do well to go back and listen to his concession speech-if you truly believed in him, you will have the same gracious attitude he showed us tonight.
TheJoker-I’m seeing you in a new light. I like it. More hope!
Nov 4, 2008 at 11:49 p.m.
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Yay!!! The change we need is at hand!
Nov 4, 2008 at 11:46 p.m.
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Change is here! And I now feel soooooooo like an American again! Thank god! R O C K on Barack IN THE U S A!
Nov 4, 2008 at 11:45 p.m.
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Thank you...thank you very much.
Nov 4, 2008 at 11:35 p.m.
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Thank goodness. I would have gone insane seeing that Sarah Palin in the White House for 4-8 years talking about "maverick" this and "Joe the plumber" that.
Nov 4, 2008 at 11:33 p.m.
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Red +1
Nov 4, 2008 at 11:31 p.m.
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Red: You rock.
Nov 4, 2008 at 11:04 p.m.
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I didnt mean for my comment to be negative i really just want the best for america i wish him the best!!!
Nov 4, 2008 at 11:01 p.m.
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Im just glad that i got to go out and vote today. Now our country will change for the good instead of go down hill still.
Nov 4, 2008 at 11 p.m.
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doc0430, I couldn't have said it any better. Joker, I wasn't trying to correct anybody except to explain that African-American referred to what some people say half white. And Joker, if you want to debate this issue... take it up with CNN.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:59 p.m.
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Some of the comments here are negative, as usual. Perhaps your negative, unenlightened way of thinking has been one of the reasons that American voters have finally spoken up and demanded a change for the positive.
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TheJoker: Good job.
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Jakiao said, “Congratulations to President-elect Obama!
John McCain: While I do not agree with your views, I must give you my respect. Your speech was incredibly gracious and wonderful. For that, you gain my respect.”
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Perfectly said. Thank you.
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Let’s go forward and unite as a nation behind our new President. Let us put our differences aside and work together to make our country GREAT again.
God Bless America.
JUST MY OPINION.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:57 p.m.
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Zoom, who are referring to? Are you calling me a racist or a bigot? I am very happy that we have a multiracial president. We need unity in this country.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:56 p.m.
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Congratulations to President-elect Obama! I couldn't be happier with tonight's results!
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:56 p.m.
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Mr. Obama is 50% Caucasian from his mother's side. He is 43.75% Arabic, and 6.25% African Negro from his father's side....
The question no one wants to answer - particularly Mr. Obama and his supporters, is, "Why do you think he has an Arabic name? Why does his father have an Arabic name? Why does every ancestor on his father's side have an Arabic name?"
Thats what i got about his race. I hope you were all right about obama being president. BEST OF LUCK AMERICA!!!
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:48 p.m.
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I'm even more happy that an African American is President-elect...it will be easier to spot the bigots and racists. The rest of us will work to make this country better. Go USA!
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.
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I have never understood why the news channels call all of the elections once the polls close. Exit polls are not accurate and in my mind worthless. I agree, it wrecks campaigns in other states that are still open for voting. There are too many important local issues that need to be voted on for the networks to call it so early.
Also, I got a bit tired of the frothing at the mouth over Obama so early on by some of the pundits. I hope there is positive change in America with this election. But I think Obama only winning one state in the South is very telling and shows where people's minds are. Racial unity is still a long way.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:45 p.m.
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The time for thinkers has come. Let's rally around our new president and give him our whole hearted support. Let's pray for him and his family. Let's come together as one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. It is time to bury prejudice and bias. Less than 150 years since the civil war and the abolitionists like the Tallman's in Janesville our country has set aside race and clan to elect a well educated and extremely articulate statesman. "Fling out the banner! wide and high, seaward and skyward, let it shine; nor skill, nor might, nor merit ours; we conquer only in that sign."
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:43 p.m.
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Hey Joker I'll bet ya when Obama went and applied for college he checked the box that said he was African American or possibly just African.......
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:42 p.m.
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doc, Obama is PROJECTED to win...the votes will be counted...the T's will be crossed...Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:41 p.m.
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Congratulations to President-elect Obama!
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John McCain: While I do not agree with your views, I must give you my respect. Your speech was incredibly gracious and wonderful. For that, you gain my respect.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:40 p.m.
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No Coppertop, he is not African American and he is not black. He is mixed race. I suggest you research this. In fact, many black people can be considered a diverse multiracial group. Genetic research has shown that most black people are descended from both sub-saharan Africans and Europeans.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:39 p.m.
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Oh Snap...THE UNITED STATES IS ABOUT TO FALL APART A LITTLE MORE!!!! STUPID PEOPLE!!!!!! Hope people are ready to give up their guns and hunting privledges so some "African American" can take over our lives...what we have left!
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.
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Since we are being so precise about it, he is Africian American of nergroidian ancestry. So yes, he's black. Just like caucasians are white.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:33 p.m.
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I'm trying to figure out how he had won all the states he did before even half of those states votes where counted? Just check California 55 electoral votes given with 0 precincts reported! Hawaii gave their votes to Obama before their polls where even closed, Now what the heck kind of message does this send to voters who think thier votes count when lets face it the electoral college decides it plain and simple!!!! So what happens when all the votes are counted up and McCain wins then what will they do?, Cover up their mistakes and not let us know the final numbers? This country is now offficially screwed for at least the next 4 years!!!!!!!! Just great..........
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:31 p.m.
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Dogs, I agree. But it sounds better for the media and helps get ratings and angles for stories. He is a man who has been elected the President of the United States. I could care less about his race.
I am happy that we finally get some new and young blood in the White House. Now the real test comes for President Obama. He has never really been challenged by the media on his plans as President. Hopefully he can follow through on his promises and stay in the middle on the political spectrum.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:26 p.m.
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dogs... Obama is African-American.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:25 p.m.
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Congratulations... our doom has been let in by the front door.
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:18 p.m.
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Yippee!
Nov 4, 2008 at 10:18 p.m.
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Why is he considered black when I thought he was half white?
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