Obama wins, becomes first black American president

Internationally, Obama is hugely popular - a sharp contrast to Bush. Part of his appeal is his personal story that highlights American multiculturalism: besides his Kenyan father he has a half-sister who is the daughter of an Indonesian.

With victories in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and other battleground states, Obama built a commanding lead over McCain after surging in the polls in the midst of a national financial crisis. He and his fellow Democrats sought to link McCain to the unpopular George W. Bush.

Shortly after 2 a.m. (0700 GMT) in the eastern United States, The Associated Press count showed Obama with 349 electoral votes, well over the 270 needed for victory. McCain had 147 after winning states that comprised the normal Republican base, including Texas and most of the South as well as several in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain west. Electoral votes are apportioned to the states roughly equivalent to their populations.

By comparison, Bush won the White House twice, and never tallied more than 286 electoral votes.

Obama soared into the national spotlight with his electrifying speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, when he was making his first run for the Senate and polishing his message of unity in a country that was mired in partisan anger.

Democrats also were expanding their majorities in both chambers of Congress.

Cheering, screaming and waving flags, an estimated 50,000-plus Obama supporters welcomed his election in a delirious victory celebration in the senator's hometown.

They crammed into Grant Park to be a part of something that would be remembered for generations.

The downtown Chicago park, where police fought anti-war protesters during the turbulent 1968 Democratic convention, was transformed on an unseasonably balmy night by white tents and a stage lined with American flags and hung with red, white and blue bunting.

Lighted windows in the skyscrapers lining the park added to the festive atmosphere, spelling out "USA" and "Vote 2008."

Watching the results on a jumbo TV screen, the crowd erupted in cheers each time Obama put yet another state in his victory column.

The assembled backers were treated to one of Obama's most uplifting speeches.

"To those who would tear this world down we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security, we support you," he said. "And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright tonight, we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope."

Related stories:

- Text of Obama's speech in Chicago after winning the presidential election

- Economy, 1st time voters and Bush led Obama's win

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