With 270 electoral votes needed to win Presidential elections, the 47-year-old first-term Illinois senator, Tuesday, secured the needed electoral votes to clinch the ticket for the White House as 44th president and the country’s first African-American head of state.
The mood in Chicago was electrified with joy, particularly at the Grant Park, where a giant celebration had attracted, according to police estimates, over 125,000 Obama supporters, lucky enough to have obtained tickets.
In his congratulatory speech, Senator John McCain said America’s choice was historic. “This is an historic election and I recognize the significance it must have for African Americans… We have come a long way from our old injustices…”
In his speech, Barack Obama referred to a “gracious call” he received from “John McCain who had fought a long campaign for a country he loves”.
Whilst making reference to a 106 year old black voter, Anne Nixon Cooper from Atlanta, Georgia, Barack Obama talked about America’s progress through the years and the possibilities it has offered this great lady.
He, however, interjected that, “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,”.
Meanwhile, traditional Republican states have lost to the Democrats who have tightened their grip on Congress with key victories in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Former Democratic governor from Virginia, Mark Warner, has also been elected after defeating former Republican, Jim Gilmore governor.
The possibility of reaching 60 seats in the senate will be a filibuster-proof, super-majority that can block debate and facilitate the passage of legislation.
