"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there," Obama said in Chicago, Illinois, before an estimated crowd of up to 240,000 people.
With Obama's projected win, he will become the first African-American to win the White House.
Obama had an overwhelming victory over Sen. John McCain, who pledged Tuesday night to help Obama lead.
"Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant," McCain said.
McCain called Obama to congratulate him, and Obama told the Arizona senator he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together.
President Bush also called Obama to offer his congratulations.
Bush told Obama he was about to begin one of the great journeys of his life, and invited him to visit the White House as soon as it could be arranged, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.
Obama will be working with a heavily Democratic Congress. Democrats picked up Senate seats in New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia, among others.
"While the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress," Obama said.
Flanked by American flags, Obama told the roaring crowd, "This is your victory."
"To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -- I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too," he said.
Supporters in Chicago cheering, "Yes, we can" were met with cries of "Yes, we did."
More than 1,000 people gathered outside of the White House, chanting "Obama, Obama!"
Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's former rival for the Democratic nomination, said in a statement that "we are celebrating an historic victory for the American people."
"This was a long and hard fought campaign but the result was well worth the wait. Together, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and a Democratic Congress, we will chart a better course to build a new economy and rebuild our leadership in the world."
Sen. Ted Kennedy said Americans "spoke loud and clear" in electing Obama.
"They understood his vision of a fairer and more just America and embraced it. They heard his call for a new generation of Americans to participate in government and were inspired. They believed that change is possible and voted to be part of America's future," the Massachusetts senator said in a statement.
As results came in Tuesday night, Obama picked up early wins in Pennsylvania and Ohio -- states considered must-wins for McCain.
Obama also won Virginia, a state that has not voted for a Democratic president since 1964.
Going into the election, national polls showed Obama with an 8-point lead.
Voters expressed excitement and pride in their country after casting their ballots in the historic election. Poll workers reported high turnout across many parts of the country, and some voters waited hours to cast their ballots
Tuesday marks the end of the longest presidential campaign season in U.S. history -- 21 months.
Obama, 47, will now begin his transition to the White House. He will be sworn in at the 44th president on January 20, 2009.
With this ending, Sara can breathe a sigh of relief, that the country she is going to, will not have a moose-shooting-woman-who-shares-the-same-name-as-her as Vice President. I'm sure more than half of us were following the elections - some more ardently than others - but nonetheless still following it. So, Obama has won, change is in the air. Yet, its politics, and anything can happen. But right now America has proven it is ready for that change. Its only a matter of what they do with that change.
If the entire world could vote, Obama would win by a landslide. And in America today, he did.
I can say, 'Congratulations' without being shot at becuase our school is very anti-Bush*what's the difference*/Republican.
In the words of one Kai Sheng, 'Total World Obamination'. Lame, but very fitting for this.
But says, Mr. C: I don't trust politicians.
As much as I like Obama and what-not... Pessimism and setting in and I warn people to not... Over-expect. He's the President of the United States of America, not the world.
AHHHH. AHHHH. OBAMA. OBAMA!!!
*screams and runs around in utter elation and joy*
Point taken though, Panit.
Well, duh, isn't that what they tell EVERYBODY who goes and VOTES. As if they listen. They expect the world of politicians. And then they go to polls and say that they trust politicians least.
My two cents worth ah..There's this cycle of power that goes on in politics. The winning parties have to make a huge mistake someday, concede to the other party and lose out. And this, my friends, repeats itself with the next winning party and the next..throughout all of history. Tho maybe not in Malaysiaaa. Hee. So, let's not all go GILA KERAZEE over 'Total World Obamination' but take it as it is, 'WAHLAOOOO AMERICA IS FINALLY USING THEIR BRAINS'. It may lead to a whole renewed and reborn America, or it may lead to total destruction. Whatever it is, it is a risk that America has dared to take. And the world, as usual, is always, ALWAYS, affected by whatever SHIT i mean decisions or paths America chooses. Gahhh.
What happened to my GOOOO PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!! [:
Like the SATs. LOLLLL.. ehh, Malaysia does the same bloody thing. Just that we're younger in terms of government, and hence, the changes aren't as apparent, YET. America has a superiority complex. I hope they read Newsweek's article about that last year. =-=
America doesn't have a superiority complex. It's just plain fact that they are the last remaining super power in the world - and they know it.
Uhh..
Why don't we form a political party. The Crew party. We advocate orange-ness and bounciness, and the goodness of candy and cookies!
Uhh..
Why don't we form a political party. The Crew party. We advocate orange-ness and bounciness, and the goodness of candy and cookies!
*sigh*
THE CHEESE PARTY! RIGHT PRIYA??
No comments:
Post a Comment