Obama wins, says "change has come to America"
Obama wins with breakthroughs in Virginia, Ohio, Florida
Democrat Barack Obama has captured the White House after an extraordinary two-year election campaign, defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first black U.S. president.
Obama will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. president on Jan. 20, 2009 and will face a crush of immediate challenges, from tackling an economic crisis to ending the war in Iraq and trying to overhaul the U.S. health care system.
McCain's hopes for a surprise victory evaporated with losses in a string of key battleground states led by the big prizes of Ohio and Florida, the states that sent Democrats to defeat in the last two elections.
The win by Obama, son of a black father from Kenya and white mother from Kansas, marked a milestone in U.S. history. It came 45 years after the height of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King.
"It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, at this defining moment, change has come to America," Obama, 47, told 125,000 ecstatic supporters gathered in Chicago's Grant Park to celebrate.
"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," he said.
Obama won at least 338 Electoral College votes, far more than the 270 needed. With results in from more than two-thirds of U.S. precincts, he led McCain by 51 percent to 48 percent in the popular vote.
Obama promised to ease the country's sharp political divisions and work for those voters who did not support him.
A first-term Illinois senator, Obama led sweeping Democratic victories that expanded the party's majorities in both chambers of Congress and marked an emphatic rejection of President George W. Bush's eight years of leadership.
McCain, a 72-year-old Arizona senator and former Vietnam War prisoner, called Obama to congratulate him and praised his rival's inspirational and precedent-shattering campaign.
"We have come to the end of a long journey," McCain told supporters. "I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him but offering our next president our goodwill."
News of Obama's win set off celebrations by supporters around the country, from New York and Chicago to Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, King's home church.
"This is a great night. This is an unbelievable night," said U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, who was brutally beaten by police in Selma, Alabama, during a voting rights march in the 1960s.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader, joined the celebrations in Chicago, tears streaming down his cheeks.
PROMISES
Obama has promised to restore U.S. leadership in the world by working closely with foreign allies, to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq in the first 16 months of his term and to bolster U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan.
But his immediate task will be tackling the U.S. financial crisis, the worst since the Great Depression. Obama has proposed another stimulus package that could cost about $175 billion and include funding for infrastructure and another round of rebate checks.
Obama took command of the race in the last month as the financial crisis deepened and as his steady performance in three debates with McCain appeared to ease lingering doubts among voters.
His judgment on handling the economic crisis appeared to help tip the race in his favor. Exit polls showed six of every 10 voters listed the economy as the top issue.
In addition to Ohio and Florida, Obama won Virginia, Iowa, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado -- all states won by Bush in 2004. McCain's loss in Pennsylvania eliminated his best hope of capturing a Democratic-leaning state.
The vote capped an epic campaign marked by a rapid rise from obscurity for Obama and a bitter Democratic primary battle with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, as well as McCain's comeback from the political scrap heap to win the Republican nomination.
In the general election battle, Obama accused McCain of representing a third term for Bush's policies and being out of touch on the economy. McCain's campaign attacked Obama as a tax-raising liberal and accused him of being a "pal" with terrorists.
In a difficult political environment for Republicans, McCain struggled to separate himself from Bush. Exit polls showed three out of every four voters thought the United States was on the wrong track.
In the fight for Congress, Democrats were making big gains but appeared to be falling short of picking up the nine Senate seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them the muscle to defeat Republican procedural hurdles.
Democrats gained at least five Senate seats and knocked off two-high profile Republican incumbents -- North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a former presidential candidate and wife of 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole, and New Hampshire Sen. John Sununu.
Democrats also gained about 25 more House of Representatives seats to give them a commanding majority in that chamber.
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Raymond Sammut
Nov 7th 2008, 18:50
@ Ivan Attard
I beg to differ with your regarding the new US President-elect as 'native' to Africa.
Please consider this. You are born of a mother who has no connection to a continent. Your father leaves your mother when you are only two. And you only get to see him once more after you visit him in that continent. How can you be "native" to that continent? Doesn't the love and affection of your mother, and the protection of her country, count more than the bloodline of your father? I think yes.
To my mind, he is native to the USA, and to no other continent.
Nevertheless, I agree with you on one important point. Obama may prove to be one of the best Presidents the USA ever had in understanding other cultures and knowing best how to deal with them. This in consideration of the fact that he spent times in Kenya and in Indonesia.
Christopher Grech
Nov 7th 2008, 16:26
For the record, Obama's father was a Kenyan. Check the true facts please.
He can technically be ousted from Presidency, since according to the Constitution of the USA, his mother (the only US citizen parent in this case) was 18 when she bore Obama. Technically she has to be 19! Some lobbyists tried to sue him, but the judge did not even consider the plea!
Now to what kind of change? Better or worse?
Great site here to open up your mind:
http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/
Joseph Schembri
Nov 6th 2008, 19:07
So many thoughts pass through one's mind at such a moment in history.... for now I will applaud our prime minister's comment sent to Obama to reconsider the legality of the death penalty in the US of A.
Ivan Attard
Nov 5th 2008, 22:46
I am happy for Obama and wish him stealth and luck to 'change' not only America, but the world. Above all, however, I wish him to turn his sights to his native Africa and find the courage and the will to change their desperate predicament. That, I am sure, would ultimately lead to LESS illegal immigrants invading our shores.
....But from words and promises and riveting speeches - the real substance that could instigate 'change' is ... pie in the sky.
mike pace
Nov 5th 2008, 18:10
God bless Obama as the left as won and will give a push to rest of the world that the change have started and the ultra minded conservatives right governments needs to go as soon as possible before all the cracking economy continued deepen because of mistakes been done by right- wing head - what next Europe and our beautiful island of ours.
Charles Camilleri
Nov 5th 2008, 18:01
This is a clear lesson to the leftist who never had a word of praise for the USA. and who often tried to put it on equal footing with other leftist regimes. This election has shown that democracy really works in the USA and everyone one has the same opportunities. Persons are judged on their ability and performance and nothing else. As they say if one really wants to get at the top sky is the limit. America had already a black Secretary of State G. Rice and now they have a black President Obama.
Charles Camilleri
Nov 5th 2008, 17:44
@ Charles Marsh. For just 30 minutes of air time Obama spent 5 million dollars plus many more millions during his campaign. From where did the money come from?
Benita Cassar Torreggiani
Nov 5th 2008, 16:20
As an American/Maltese, voting here in NYC yesterday was the first time I was excited about an election - I felt that I finally had a choice to elect someone whom I wanted to vote for, and that my vote was really going to make a difference. We are so, so very happy, elated and emotional over the outcome. We know that our voices have been heard all over the world as to how we feel.
A. Muscat
Nov 5th 2008, 15:34
@Raymond Sammut
Far from pettiness. My message is that, in Europe we are still backward in terms of immigrant’s policies. I also wish to mollify the Maltese’s resentment from peoples with different colors, race, or creed. Yes, I am talking about the legal immigrants who chose to come over a start a new life in Europe. Or any of the irregular immigrants currently in detention centers having their claims processed. Who knows? Could be our any of our coming PM’s or presidents is an immigrant who currently living in Malta, or he/she would be any of the off-spring of an immigrants currently in detention center. Until this happens in Europe or in Malta, we are still far from the world’s new order!
charles marsh
Nov 5th 2008, 13:53
At last America has a Socialist President, not a rich conservative cowboy.
No more war games in the future, no more money to the millionaire corporates, and power to the people. Where there is a will there is a way. "Yes We Can" .
Congratulations Comrade.
R Aquilina
Nov 5th 2008, 11:40
@Raymond Sammut
I didn't suggest President Elect Obama is an immigrant or even the son of one. I was merely trying to illustrate to those among us who because of prejudice and race hate argue against immigration.
I didn't think it worth saying because many had already said it before me ,but, for what it's worth,,Well done America,and thank you.
Raymond Sammut
Nov 5th 2008, 10:28
@ A. Muscat
President Obama is not an immigrant.
He was born in Hawaii to an American woman. His father had arrived in the USA as a foreign student who, after marriage (and divorce) with Ms Dunham, soon returned to Kenya.
Here is a piece of profound history in the making. Please treat it as such, and not with pettiness.
A. Muscat
Nov 5th 2008, 09:53
Black Immigrants do come presidents.
Today, a racism death certificate is issued. The new Cons in the USA have skippered. Same fate, waiting all the far-right parties in Europe.
Coming January, Afro-American Barak Obama will sleep in the White House as the new president of the USA. The latter ‘may’ recover from the financial earthquakes and regain respect which is lost.
The world is evolving, while in Europe, still we haven’t reached a common immigrants policy on what to do with immigrants. In terms of immigrants and immigration, the EU is still many decades backward. This is really sad,
Frans Sammut
Nov 5th 2008, 08:56
There is no doubt Obama's victory proves that the US has matured enough to practise what it has been preaching for so many years. This landslide victory was made possible by the huge - I stand to be corrected, but I believe it was unprecedented - turnout which again points to a surge in the American citizen's trust in US institutions. This trust was missing for as many years as mentioned above. Many people had given up hope that real change would come to America through its system, however democratic it may be. The errors of the Bush doctrine, the nonsensical war in Iraq (condemned even by John Paul II, certainly no sympathizer of the "Left" or whatever bogey man-politics certain US politicians cultivate in voters' minds) the more recent slide into recession, all of these factors contributed to the awakening of a great chunk of erstwhile dormant, or indifferent, US voters. But still it is a miracle. This is truly a new beginning. And what's more. It is not only a new beginning for the US but for the entire world.
R Aquilina
Nov 5th 2008, 08:42
When u r being hunted down,shot at,full of hunger and hope is denied you, when your chances of a decent life of work and happiness and your chances of bringing up a family in security and love is a hopeless dream you do not wait to be invited .Nicieties are a luxury that can only be practiced by the likes of you and I Ms pace.
Antoine Zammit
Nov 5th 2008, 08:37
To my opinion.. A republican win would have meant further burden an tension on the whole of the world, especially the developing countries. Barack Obama will mean a lot to the world in the coming years, but mostly he will bring a new hope. A new hope for dialogue. I congratulate and thank those Americans who have made the right choice! THANK YOU!
jamie pace
Nov 5th 2008, 07:53
@D vella and J.mifsud...you guys ve said it all exactly same words,i was gona say....his first speech gave us hope and and believe that he will bring the needed change in america...Thank you very much America....the whole world look up to you and we need you be be stable again....this new change gives us hope for a better future.......to barack obama..yes you can..yes you can...and yes we all can....
Marion Pace
Nov 5th 2008, 07:51
@RAquilina
In America our coloured freinds were forced into it as Slaves whilst in our case they are coming in Illegally. I am sure anyone would gladly vote other racial or coloured candidates as long as they are here legally.
Lets follow our great American friends and vote for a change! Congratulations America!
Lewis Balzan
Nov 5th 2008, 07:51
I envy the Americans. Here in Malta we have to wait another 5 years (hopefully not) to make the change from an old has-been surrounded by a bunch of big-headed blustering cowboys to a young, brilliant politician with fresh ideas who will give this sinking island hope for the future. Unless it sinks by then, naturally.
David Vella
Nov 5th 2008, 07:47
At the expense of sounding very very negative ... but America needs to hold and protect its new President very very tight as he is a dream target for an international-image-seeking person, even though infamous, yet all the same puts his/her name in the history books for ever. Dark thoughts i know ... yet i'm sure its crossing some crazy person's mind.
Joseph Agius
Nov 5th 2008, 07:39
Well done Barack. You deserve it. I also heard McCain's concession speech and it was very gracious and respectable. Well done to Senator McCain. There is a lot to learn.
This morning I had the opportunity to listen to two great political speeches.
Suzanne Gili Post
Nov 5th 2008, 07:31
As America's heart pants and the warm glow of democracy keeps us ever so grateful, we look to the world - to all the democratic corners such as Malta and beyond - to join us in this celebration. It took a lot of hard work and so much more is to come, but we stand together with renewed hope to support progress, inclusion, and the strength that comes with united diversity. Our world is such a blessed place. Let us all take care, let us all take care, indeed, together for the sake of all the challenges and success to come.
Charles J Buttigieg
Nov 5th 2008, 07:23
Proset Barack well done USA . FINALLY YOU REALISED WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU.
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Nov 5th 2008, 07:11
Thank Goodness for this choice; this candidate was younger, had better ideas and more Liberal than his opponent!!
...................lets hope that this will really herald a true and much-needed new beginning for the USA!! Long live America!! Long live Obama!!
R Aquilina
Nov 5th 2008, 06:41
I look forward to the time when we, as a people, can welcome the less fortunate to our shores, when the son of an emigrant can reach the highest seats in this land.To the time when we can look at a person for his worth ,present or potential, and not castigate him for the colour of his skin or his different faith.
Matthew Borg
Nov 5th 2008, 06:38
Thank goodness... the logical choice.
Thank you America, as it was rightly said below!
Keith Vella
Nov 5th 2008, 06:37
Let us all hope now that he proves to be as good as his political machine has made him out to be.
Denis Catania
Nov 5th 2008, 06:32
Tonight or you can say early morning. I go to bed and rest my head that this country is the greatest country in the world. I go to bed proud to be an American, that so many Americans crossed party lines to vote for Senator Barrack Obama, and put this great nation ahead of their party. I will also pray for a dream that too in Malta, one day the people will cross party lines and put our country ahead of any political party for the better of our beautiful nation. As D Vella said THANK YOU AMERICA.
Andrew Sciberras
Nov 5th 2008, 06:29
Thank you America. You have given people of my generation new hope. Thank you.
J. Mifsud
Nov 5th 2008, 06:12
Congratulations to the first Afro-American to make it as head of the White House. I am at the moment listening to his first speech as President-elect, and it does fill me with hope. Let us all hope that that bit of fresh air that the United States and the world in general needs, has truly arrived.
This event should teach the world that where there is a will, there is a way. Who would have thought, a few years back, that the United States would have an Afro-American as its President?
His speech gives all Americans HOPE. Let us all pray that it materializes.
One of his phrases which hit me was: I WILL LISTEN TO YOU (THE PEOPLE), ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DISAGREE.
Congratulations Mr Barack Obama. I am happy for you, the people of the United States and the world. Let us all read his winning speech over and over again.
D Vella
Nov 5th 2008, 06:05
Thank you America.