The Pacer

Issue date: 11/4/08 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: (AP Photo)

Media Credit: Jen DeYeso

Media Credit: Jen DeYeso

Cheers of joy could be heard across the campus as students jubilantly celebrated Barack Obama's victory, while literally dancing in the streets.

Obama's win marks the first time an African American has been elected to the nation's highest office.

After Obama cinching a victory in Virginia, McCain would have had to win every state except for California and Hawaii to win. Once it became clear that McCain did not have a viable chance The Pacer called the election for Obama.

The presidential win for Democrats is not the only thing they are celebrating as they increased their majorities in both the House and Senate giving them control of both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1994.

The popular vote was close - 51.3 percent to 47.5 percent with 73 percent of all U.S. precincts counted - but Obama won by a landslide in the electoral college. His bold strategy of challenging traditionally Republican states paid off.

In Washington, the Democratic leaders of Congress celebrated.

"It is not a mandate for a party or ideology but a mandate for change," said Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of California, "Tonight the American people have called for a new direction. They have called for change in America."

Shortly after midnight in the East, The Associated Press count showed Obama with 338 electoral votes, well over the 270 needed for victory. McCain had 141 after winning states that comprised the normal Republican base.

Obama's first priority? The economy, he said.

Obama also pledged to withdraw most troops from Iraq within 16 months.

Obama's election capped a meteoric rise - from mere state senator to president-elect in four years.

In his first speech as victor, to thousands at Grant Park in his home town of Chicago, Obama cataloged the challenges ahead. "The greatest of a lifetime," he said, "two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century."

He added, "There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face."

Many UTM students celebrated the historic victory.

"I can't even put into words how I feel. This is a pivotal moment. It's going to go down in history and I'm glad that we were a part of it," said Heather Hicks, representative from the UTM College Democrats from an election party hosted at Alderman Ward 2 candidate Ray Stevenson's house.

Chris Dansdy, of Memphis, Tenn., agrees. Dansdy was part of a celebration outside University Village.

"I'm so excited. I feel so good right now! I feel like I'm on top of the world. I've never felt such a rush. It's so big, I can't even explain it right now." said Dansdy.

Sharde Loston, of Detroit, Mich., who registered to vote in Martin, echoed the sentiment.

"It's time for change and I think Obama is going to make the right change. I feel like we've made the right choice," said Loston.

Police at the scene were overheard saying of the celebration, "We don't need to jump in the middle of that, it's just going to cause problems. We just need to let them chant. We're going to get noise complaints, but that's OK."

Weakley County and Tennessee voted McCain: 57% and 64.5% for McCain, respectively.

The numbers for Precinct 6A (traditionally considered the "UTM box"), were not available at press time, and the Weakley County Election Commission did not provide a time when the precinct numbers would be available. The polling site for 6A is Trinity Presbyterian Church, near the corner of campus on Hannings Lane.

Martha Kelley, the election officer for Precinct 6A, said Tuesday night that she was impressed with the student voters.

"We had no problems whatsoever," Kelley said. "The students were organized and very courteous. Even the ones who had problems were patient with us while we figured out how to help them. The students were very good today."

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