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2008-11-05 08:48:00
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Barack Obama speaks to jubilant crowds at his victory rally in Chicago
Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of
the United States.
"It's been a long time coming, but tonight... change has come to America," the
president-elect told a jubilant crowd at a victory rally in Chicago.
His rival John McCain accepted defeat, saying "I deeply admire and commend" Mr
Obama. He called on his supporters to lend the next president their goodwill.
The BBC's Justin Webb says the result will have a profound impact on the US.
He says the American people have made two fundamental statements about
themselves: that they are profoundly unhappy with the status quo, and that they
are slamming the door on the country's racial past.
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McCain: 'We must work together'
Mr Obama appeared with his family, and his running mate Joe Biden, before a
crowd of tens of thousands in Grant Park, Chicago.
Many people in the vast crowd, which stretched back far into the Chicago night,
wept as Mr Obama spoke.
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where
all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is
alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is
your answer," he said.
He said he had received an "extraordinarily gracious" call from Mr McCain.
He praised the former Vietnam prisoner-of-war as a "brave and selfless leader".
OBAMA GAINS
Ohio
New Mexico
Iowa
Virginia
Florida
Colorado
Nevada
Indiana
"He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to
imagine," the victor said.
He had warm words for his family, announcing to his daughters: "Sasha and
Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new
puppy that's coming with us to the White House."
But he added: "Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that
tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in
peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. But America - I have
never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there."
Hours after Mr Obama's victory was announced, crowds were still celebrating in
Chicago and in Washington DC.
From red to blue
Mr Obama captured the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, before
breaking through the winning threshold of 270 electoral college votes at 0400
GMT, when projections showed he had also taken California and a slew of other
states.
Then came the news that he had also seized Florida, Virginia and Colorado - all
of which voted Republican in 2004 - turning swathes of the map from red to
blue.
Projected results have yet to be announced for the states of North Carolina and
Missouri, but at 1100 GMT, Mr Obama's share of the popular vote stood at 52.3%,
compared with Mr McCain's 46.4%.
The main developments include:
Florida, Colorado, Indiana and Nevada - all Republican wins in 2004.
Illinois, Delaware, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Maryland, Connecticut,
Maine, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island,
California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon.
Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, North Dakota,
Wyoming, Georgia, Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas, Mississippi, Utah, Arizona,
Idaho, South Dakota.
Republicans in Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico and
Colorado. They also increased their majority of the House of Representatives.
10 voters.
Associated Press reported. Almost as many said age did not matter.
Several states reported very high turnout. It was predicted 130 million
Americans, or more, would vote - more than for any election since 1960.
Many people said they felt they had voted in a historic election - and for many
African-Americans the moment was especially poignant.
HAVE YOUR SAY I find myself strangely emotional about this. I want to go wake
up my neighbours and hug them Amy Scullane, Boston
John Lewis, an activist in the civil rights era who was left beaten on an
Alabama bridge 40 years ago, told Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church: "This is a
great night. It is an unbelievable night. It is a night of thanksgiving."
Besides winning the presidency, the Democrats tightened their grip on Congress.
The entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats were up
for grabs.
Democrats won several Senate seats from the Republicans, but seemed unlikely to
gain the nine extra they wanted to reach the 60-seat "super-majority" that
could prevent Republicans blocking legislation.