Vowing change and symbolizing a new direction in American politics, Democrat Barack Obama on Tuesday defeated Republican John McCain in the longest and most expensive race in history, becoming the first African-American elected president.
The historic contest signals a major shift in the federal government, with leadership poised to shed the last traces of a Republican agenda and embrace the new priorities promised by Democrats.
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our fathssers is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” Obama told tens of thousands of supporters at an outdoor rally at midnight in Chicago. “Change has come to America.”
He praised an “extraordinarily gracious” McCain, who had called an hour earlier to concede the race. Obama thanked his wife, Michelle and told his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, that their hard work on the campaign had earned them a new puppy for the White House.
“I was never the likeliest candidate for this office,” Obama said told supporters. “This is your victory.”
In the Senate, Democrats picked up four seats and appeared on track to strengthen their control of the House, an electoral advance made possible by strong voter discontent with President Bush and the troubled American economy.
Obama, who will become the nation’s 44th president when sworn in on Jan. 20, garnered strong support from a coalition that included women, Hispanics, African-Americans, young voters and a slight edge among male voters, according to exit polls.
He inherits two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, a cash-strapped federal budget and the intense expectations of a restive electorate.
McCain, at a rally in Phoenix, acknowledged the profound moment Obama’s victory represents for Americans, and especially black Americans. He called the campaign “the great honor” of his life.
“I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together,” McCain said. “Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.”
Obama’s win strung together victories in a series of key battleground states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Virginia and Florida, while holding on to the traditionally Democratic, electoral vote-rich states of California and New York.
Given the pessimistic mood of Americans and polls showing voters believed the country moving in the wrong direction, the race for McCain, a Vietnam War hero who ran as his party’s “maverick” member, was always going to be tough one.
Bush, who had kept a remarkably low profile throughout the campaign due to dwindling public support, spent election night hosting a private dinner party, telling his guests, “May God bless whoever wins tonight,” according to his press secretary.
In the end, Obama’s promise of a decisive shift from the policies and priorities of the Bush administration, including bringing troops home from Iraq, resonated for voters exhausted by war and economic worries.
His choice of longtime Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden Jr. to serve as his running mate did little to harm his candidacy, in contrast to McCain’s pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose freshness and candor gave way to persistent doubts among voters about her readiness for office.
