WASHINGTON - Americans emphatically elected Democrat Barack Obama as their first black president on Tuesday, in a transformational election which will reshape US politics and the US role on the world stage.
�Tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America,� Obama told a euphoric crowd of 240,000 tearful supporters after defeating Republican John McCain.
Obama, 47, will be inaugurated the 44th US president on January 20, 2009, and inherit an economy mired in the worst financial crisis since the 1930s, two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and a nuclear showdown with Iran.
Obama�s win was greeted with euphoria by a vast crowd gathered in his home city of Chicago, as his supporters screamed and waved American flags as they waited for him to arrive to deliver his victory speech.
New York�s Times Square exploded in joy at a moment of healing for America�s racial scars, a huge crowd gathered outside the White House and the result immediately reverberated around the world.
�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,� Obama said in Chicago.
�I promise you � we as a people will get there.�
Democrats also made huge strides in Congress, and will hold an unshakeable monopoly in power in Washington after a rare generational and political realignment.
After a bilious campaign, McCain was gracious in defeat, and noted that Obama�s election was a moment to cherish for African Americans.
�The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honour of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love,� he said.
�Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours,� he told a crowd of supporters in Phoenix in his home state of Arizona.
President George W. Bush who has steered his country through eight turbulent years also congratulated Obama.
�Mr President-elect, congratulations to you,� White House spokeswoman Dana Perino quoted the president as saying in a phone call to Obama.
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�Tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America,� Obama told a euphoric crowd of 240,000 tearful supporters after defeating Republican John McCain.
Obama, 47, will be inaugurated the 44th US president on January 20, 2009, and inherit an economy mired in the worst financial crisis since the 1930s, two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and a nuclear showdown with Iran.
Obama�s win was greeted with euphoria by a vast crowd gathered in his home city of Chicago, as his supporters screamed and waved American flags as they waited for him to arrive to deliver his victory speech.
New York�s Times Square exploded in joy at a moment of healing for America�s racial scars, a huge crowd gathered outside the White House and the result immediately reverberated around the world.
�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,� Obama said in Chicago.
�I promise you � we as a people will get there.�
Democrats also made huge strides in Congress, and will hold an unshakeable monopoly in power in Washington after a rare generational and political realignment.
After a bilious campaign, McCain was gracious in defeat, and noted that Obama�s election was a moment to cherish for African Americans.
�The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honour of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love,� he said.
�Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours,� he told a crowd of supporters in Phoenix in his home state of Arizona.
President George W. Bush who has steered his country through eight turbulent years also congratulated Obama.
�Mr President-elect, congratulations to you,� White House spokeswoman Dana Perino quoted the president as saying in a phone call to Obama.
More
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