AP: Obama wins North Carolina

After 19 years in my adopted home of NC, I'm ecstatic to say, this FINALLY feels like real progress! The native hardliners appear pretty bitter but must accept that change is not only INEVITABLE, it is absolutely necessary to become BETTER! This is a wonderful place in so many ways --- and it just took a quantum leap forward!!!

Hey #2, this is a hyperbolic moment politically.

It's been a hyperbolically anti-rule-of-law last eight years, so it's nice to have the former Harvard Law Review Editor in charge of things.

So take it easy on warning others to take it easy.

North Carolina today is not the North Carolina of the 1950s and '60's. How many black folk were actors on the Andy Griffith Show?
N.C. Still has many deep-rooted racial problems; city school systems 90% black, country school systems 90% white. The state is getting better only because many liberals have moved there in the past ten or so years.
Our society is always on the move, so just becasue a state voted one way this time and likewise for a few generations, there's no prediction of what will happen next election.

The Obama camp won in literally every state they put some serious campaigning effort into, except maybe Missouri. What a remarkable campain and excellent strategic planning! If Obama's presidency will be as well organized as his campaign was, he will be a very successful President. I'm crossing my fingers.

Well, turning ruby red states like Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina blue in one election is a major achievement. Keeping them blue or purple is another.

It is not hyperbole--this is a huge, huge, win. Much bigger than Clinton or Bush. I hope people realize that the ugly politics of personal destruction and demonization of opponents is not a winning strategy. America is better than those ugly politics. Barack Obama ran a dignified campaign worthy of our great country.

I am SO proud of my state. Hooray, North Carolina!

Why does everyone feel the need to categorize Obama as a 'black' man? Once again we are pigeonholing someone. He is a 'bi-racial' man. Let us celebrate his black heritage without ignoring his white heritage as well.

I agree with comment #2. I'm pro-Obama, but still, let's not spill our emotions into journalism so much. He only won the state by a very slim margin so that kind of praise seems a bit over the edge and is sure to alienate your republican readers.

dont expect a lot at the moment but hope is always alive. wait till he start his new job.
Good Luck Mr. Obama

yay for your brother!

dont expect a lot at the moment but hope is always alive. wait till he start his new job.
Good Luck Mr. Obama

This is Obama's time and the Democratic party's time. They have established a solid majority in both houses and they have the White House as well. If they have ideas and policies that are going to make this country stronger, now is the time for them to get them passed and make things better.

But guess what - it's also time to put up or shut up. If the country doesn't move forward, and things don't turn around, lots of the battleground states will flip back red in 2012. Good Luck President Elect Obama.

Funny how before the elections, McCain supporters claimed the polls were tightening and were false. Now that a decisive victory, 364 electoral votes later, you'll hear the same people downplaying this victory saying, "He only won 52%, you need 55% to call it a landslide. I thought he was going to win by way more, because of all of the hype." First they invalidate the polls and then condemn it because they thought the outcome shouldve reflected the polls. That just speaks to one thing, they take any opportunity to attack as they try to downplay the historic election witnessed around the world. Can we say disillusioned? This was a HUGE victory on so many levels and they know it.

"No Democratic candidate has won North Carolina since Jimmy Carter in 1976."

We all know how well that turned out.

Hopefully the post-election griping will settle down and we can all get to work improving our great nation.

There is more to a state's politics than just who it gives it Presidential votes to. North Carolina has a long history of voting in Democrats for statewide office, even after the Republicans adopted the "Southern Strategy" (i.e., becoming the party of racists). The governorship switched back and forth between the Dems and Republicans all through Helms's life, as did the Senate seat not held by Jesse Helms. (No Senator has held the NC Class Three seat for more than one term since Sam Ervin retired in 1974.) Kay Hagan, of course, just took the Class Two seat, which has been held by Republicans since 1973 (first Helms, then Liddy Dole).

At least McSame won Misery if a recount doesn't change its results.

I cannot wait to see if President Elect Obama can get our country moving in the right direction again. He has the poise, intelligence, personnel and technology to get it done. Martin Luther King Jr. had his "I have a dream". Barack Obama gave us "Yes We Can". Those are so powerful words. Oh yeah, welcome North Carolina and congratulations President Elect Barack Obama and Vice President Elect Joseph Biden.

It's funny.. I've been saying this as my retort to liberals all week long:

Barack Obama = Jimmy Carter 2.0

Now.."No Democratic candidate has won North Carolina since Jimmy Carter in 1976". Yeah.

North Carolina is on the road to redemption and it is not coming to soon for their children and grandchildren. For decades they sent us Strom Thurmond, the unrepentant racist and secret father of a black child. A decent woman has finally taken his seat.

Now they have voted by a slim margin for a black American for President.

Their next challenge. Destroy the tobacco growing industry once and for all even as it sets it sights to the addiction of the defenseless and ignorant third world,

Obama does not seem to care either way. His campaign machine is still attacking Sarah Palin and her family even after the election. It sounds as if this is a part of his "transition" political game plan.

John I think you meant purplish? I used to finger paint and I believe going over it in blue will result in more of a purplish color. The article is incorrect.

Thank you, North Carolina !

Red or Blue. Black or White. Who cares. We are ALL Americans. We have to work together to try and fix our problems.

North Carolina, one of the states in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . NOT RED OR BLUE . America is one nation not red or blue.
Hopefully the people of America can now stand together as AMERICANS. A beautiful mosiac belonging to one nation, one human race, beautiful colors of people.
We are blessed!

I am proud of my home state for more than just the Tar Heels. This is great!! No longer will NC be remembered as the state that produced the racist Jesse Helms.

So....NC last voted for a Democrat in 76, when it voted for Jimmy Carter!! So I guess it takes 32 years for people to forget just how bad it can be. Funny that Jimmy Carter's name is mentioned, becuase I predict the outcome from both administrations will be equally disasterous. Obama's will be worse because at least Jimmy Carter's intentions were pure.

Did you ever wonder why Jimmy Carter endorsed Obama so heavily, and ran down the Republicans at the same time? He has an agenda. With Obama in office, Carter runs an excellent chance of losing the "worst President of all time" title.

Not all change is good. You get the President you deserve.

WHAT IS THIS FINALLY STUFF? IS THIS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT "THE BLACK PEOPLE"? MY UNDERSTANDING, WHEN WE ELECT A PRESIDENT HE SHOULD BE A PRESIDENT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE, LIKE GEORGE BUSH, CLINTON, REAGAN AND ALL OF OUR PAST PRESIDENTS. ARE YOU RACIST? IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE HOPE WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING LIVING HERE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE. GOD BLESS AMERICA

San Francisco values, we all have them now, even new mexico.
Pretty soon there will be running a blue line from the east coast to the west coast.

"To all of the Obama supporters, whatever your reason for supporting him: We who opposed Obama will extend him and your chosen party EXACTLY the same sort of courtesy, support, cooperation, and assistance that you have so generously and enthusiastically given President Bush for the past 8 years"

You know, if Obama performs as "well" as Bush did, I'll be right there with you. Bush earned the popularity ratings he has now. It has nothing to do with pure partisanism. I'm expecting something significantly better from Obama.

I live in western NC, in one of the few blue counties out here. This is huge for NC, for ALL the citizens. We've been dangling purple over the Blue/Red line holding our collective breath. LBJ knew he was sacrificing the South politically with the Voting Rights Act. Thanks to his selfless vision, this election was possible. Let the healing begin. Happy to be Blue!

Love hearing the optimism and hope here AND the call to transcend the blue/red state divisions that so cripple us (though let me crow a bit and say I write this as a very happy Hoosier!). Lincoln called on us to listen to the " better angels of our nature." God knows I fail to do that far too often, but what an opportunity for us all to hear that challenge once again and try to escape the corrosive cynicism of our time.

Re: mr Joshua
No way is Obama Jimmy Carter
Think JFK!

For nearly a year now, I've been suffering amid the scum of upstate S.C. Now I learn that I can apparently drive a half hour to the north to find some people who do not have their heads stuck in their rectums. Who woulda thunk it?

Obama's campaign doesn't have to attack Sarah Palin. The Republican operatives are doing a great job on their own. Bush is Hoover 2.0

Posted by lightnin at 115pm: "To all of the Obama supporters, whatever your reason for supporting him: We who opposed Obama will extend him and your chosen party EXACTLY the same sort of courtesy, support, cooperation, and assistance that you have so generously and enthusiastically given President Bush for the past 8 years, and we will ENJOY doing so, just as YOU have all this time. In fact, we'll try to be even MORE generous! Elephants have LONG memories, you know."

Answer: Hey hey hey, hold on there Dumbo...your crap was perfected by the Republicans and Newt Gingrich (and Kenneth Starr) in the mid90's and the lynch mob mentality of the fanatical Republican Right's attitude toward Democrats, progressivism, and the Clintons. The Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Addington, Robertson, Dobson, Falwell cabal (the "my way or the highway" crowd) are verifiable criminals and Constitutional hackers and have run roughshod over decency, plurialism, small "D" democracy and so deserved much more strident opposition and checking as the Constitution called for and required but which was so over powered by calling into question the patriotism of anyone who raised a voice in question or objection and asked to wait a minute and lets think about this.. Don't forget the Bush campaign stole the 2000 election with Katherine Harris and brother Jeb in FL and the Reagan/Bush '41 packed Supreme Court give the election to W....and then W campaign stole the vote in Ohio in '04 with the discarding of 10s of thousands of valid votes and the obstruction to voting to thousands of other citizens....dare I say W was never a legitimately elected President....will leave that to others' imagination. So, stop your whining, grow up and, step into the sunlight, relax, and relish and rejoice in being a citizen of a once-again proud and wondrous America, and do your duty for a change....it really won't hurt a bit.

"His campaign machine is still attacking Sarah Palin and her family even after the election."

No, the McCain Campaign is divulging these things.

They first revealed it to Fox News. That bastion of democratic bias. Stay classy Republicans.

A handful of states switching from red to blue does not an entirely new map printing make.

Glad to see all the unifiers referring to "red" and "blue" states and patting themselves on the back for "change from red to blue" and welcoming NC "back to the Union." It's so gratifying to know you all really see our selves as one country. What a "Change". In reality, Obama's victories in formerly Republican-leaning states are probably temporary glitches based way more on people just wanting to "throw out the bums" than being permanently transformed from Republicans to Democrats. The polls show that many people voted for Obama reluctantly because they were tired of the current Administration's policies, not because they warmly embraced Obama or his policies. I believe most Americans still believe in smaller and less interfering government, less taxes, and free-market capitalism but we'll see. Many europeans are very happy with the current election outcome, believing that the U.S. will move closer to their form of democratic-socialism, which they believe is a better system. Let's see what happens.

I am 53 years old ;born/lived in NC all my life;
I agree with Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to
seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who
call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our
spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and
called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We
have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and
called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called
it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and
pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the
time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us,
Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free.
Amen!'

Oh PLEEEEEASE..
I Live in Raleigh and the snobbish attitude of these comments is hilarious.
This from the people who live in a state that gave us Barny Frank.
I would rather have Barny Fife than Barny Frank ANYDAY.
Mass. is so left wing it has rings around its planet.

Jimmy Carter is not the worst president of all time... that title belongs to George W. Bush.

The part of this piece of news I like the most is this: When I go to Baltimore from Raleigh to see the Os play them rascally Sox next summer at least I will know while I am surrounded by Sox fans that we all voted for the right guy, red, green, blue, gray, or whatever it used to be. Knowing that will make the result of the games we will see a little easier to take.

To those who said hey don't start calling a slim win a blue state....some of these went blue last in '64, another landslide...and if you compare the % change between this election and last, it is huge, 13% in NC. Many states Obama outperformed Kerry by even more. A 15% shift is nothing to sneeze at.

To #44 Campbell...what planet are you on? 'Obama machine continues it's attack on Palin' ????????? He isn't, and he didn't. It is MCCAIN's people, fellow republicans who are doing that. And did you watch the debate when each guy was asked why their VP was better than the other? McCain attacked Biden, then Obama spoke...and ONLY mentioned the positive qualities of Biden, never took a shot at Palin. In case you haven't noticed, like the other 70% of the country who decided that McCain ran the more negative campaign, when offered a chance to attack his opponent on a silver platter...Obama generally doesn't. Big reason why he won. Rush can go back to his Michael J. Fox impressions because he is now irrelevant.

Scott Helman, the writer for this piece, shows that his title is "political reporter." While I supported Obama and voted for him, this piece is not a political report, but a political blog. If you are a reporter, keep your views to yourself. If you are a blogger, go ahead and state your obvious slant on the news. As it stands now with your piece, it is neither a political report nor a political blog...it is your opinion. Next time, keep the distinctions of the two forms of writing separate. The editor should have picked this up before approving this piece for publication...but evidently, is so strongly for Obama that he/she was blinded by the hyperbole.

Strom Thurmond is from SOUTH CAROLINA!

Hey Scott,
Couldn't tell you were an Obama supporter...much. Try to be professional next time or get a real job! What a loser.

"So Obama has not just redrawn the map. He's printed an entirely new one."

Did it have 57 states in it?

In Akron, Ohio an Obama watch party election night, in a bar, as expected, erupts in gunfire. Stay classy Democrats!

#42 said: "It's funny.. I've been saying this as my retort to liberals all week long:
Barack Obama = Jimmy Carter 2.0"

I'm curious as to how many people under 40 give you a blank stare with that one? I'm sure you feel good about your "cutting edge" response, but many folks choose to live in 2008, instead of dwelling in 1976. The world is a changing place. I voted for Republicans, Democrats AND Independents on Tuesday. Our elected officials should be working for the PEOPLE....not the party.

No, you mean red state. N.C.'s disadvantaged and disenfranchised population and the college students put Obama in office. Now isn't it interesting that they're paying very little of the taxes already being collected. And it is a well-known fact that North Carolina taxes everything to death. We have income tax, sales tax, gasoline tax, property tax, inheritance tax, etc. The last thing we need is to be told what we need by a Harvard liberal who plans to fix the economy by raising taxes.The state has lost its income-producing industries to China and Mexico. Now, we can rest easy though because Obama is going to fix everything! NOT!

re: Mr. Joshua
"North Carolina is on the road to redemption and it is not coming to soon for their children and grandchildren. For decades they sent us Strom Thurmond, the unrepentant racist and secret father of a black child. A decent woman has finally taken his seat.

Now they have voted by a slim margin for a black American for President.

Their next challenge. Destroy the tobacco growing industry once and for all even as it sets it sights to the addiction of the defenseless and ignorant third world, "

Strom was from South Carolina and replaced by Rep. Lindsey Graham(who won again this time).

JWord, you seem very angry. And male. And white. Because Texas didn't turn blue, you still see these so-called "formerly right-leaning" parts of America as susceptible to "temporary glitches," rather than intrinsic components of the decisive and sweeping victory witnessed on November 4, 2008. Sad to say it, but you are the one who wishes to divide America into two unions. If the unprecedented screams of millions in the streets of America weren't enough of a sign that America as a nation has "warmly embraced Obama," you really oughta have your grimy puddle of a brain scanned for deficiencies. And get some lessons in history while you're at it. Buh-bye now, angry little man.

I moved to North Carolina from California and am proud of my new home state! Way to go NC!

Brent,
You are truely delusional with regard to stolen elections. Even the NY times (liberal) said Gore lost. Gore is the only one who attempted to steal an election, with a selective recount. That stolen election BS has become really tiresome, but don't worry, the dems will screw this up so royally, we will be back in no time, then you can start crying again. The only worry, is what will be left of the economy at that point. I know you have no clue or apptitude to learn about the culpability of the Dems in the economic mess, so I won't waste my time. Keep living the dream.

For those of you who are implying that NC leaning Democrat (it was a virtual tie) is somehow suggestive of political evolution...right. Obamas brand of liberalism even socialism has been around forever. It is a salve for underacheivers and persons with few personal morals that believe that the government can replace this lack with some form of public ethic. Gay marriage, income redistribution, partial birth abortion are a few of the many elements of this public ethic that we can thank liberalism for.

Being a middle aged southern white male, I can assure you that it wasn't just African Americans voting for Obama in NC, and I am not a northern transplant. My family has lived in NC since most of you Boston Irish and Itatians were only pondering the question about leaving Europe.

Lightnin, if you truly have that long memory you're bragging about, the arc of your support should look like this:
1) Negative from January to September based on the perception that your candidate won the popular vote but was robbed by the Left-leaning Supreme Court. (No, wait. Can't use that excuse. Huh.)
2) From September until he leads us into an unnecessary, additional war, 95% of Americans (which in the non-Palinized America includes everyone, not just the big, blue cities) will stand behind Obama.

"To all of the Obama supporters, whatever your reason for supporting him: We who opposed Obama will extend him and your chosen party EXACTLY "...
Blah, blah, blah... It's over!

Richard Nixon, a fine though flawed president, was impeached and resigned in abject disgrace for far less than Bush is GUILTY of. How could anyone give courtesy, support, cooperation, and assistance to that? How many people have died for the "decider"? History will be the prison for George W Bush.

But that's okay, Bush never cared about you, what you think, or say, anyway. You may like that sort of treatment. Bush certainly got back what he gave out. That's what we were taught in Sunday school.

Hey, did you listen to Barak Obama's speech Tuesday night? He said he will listen to the voices who disagree with him. He said even for those who did not vote for him, he'll be their president too - ever hear George W Bush say or do anything like that? Sounds pretty scary doesn't it?

Go ahead, keep digging your ditch - you can't even see over the rim anymore. Or, join a lot of us who are climbing out of the ditch and getting back on the road again.

Just keep in mind that many comments here are written by folks who still think W is doing a fine job.

Some will never understand why the nation sees problems.

sarah palin is fake, nasty, actress and needs to go back to Alaska. Her own party is admitting she was a mistake. How DUMB do you need to be to not know Africa is a continent, the countries that make up NAFTA and OPEC, and the rights of the 1st amendment. GO AWAY SARAH FAILIN. Spit your hate and fear somewhere else.

Elliot Chase,

You idiot, before you start insulting 10,000,000 people with your sophomoric diatribe, at least have the common sense to get your facts straight. Strom Thurmond never lived in or represented North Carolina.

Ex-NC resident - Your assessment of NC , its educational system and the effects of "liberals" is as sophomoric as Mr. Chase's comments. You may have lived in NC but you do not know it's people or educational system. What does having a black person in the Andy Griffith show have to do with anything?

This blog could do without both your comments.

Wake up, blue Massachusetts.. The Massachusetts brand of democrat is a dying breed. Look to the south for the democratic party's future.

I thought we were supposed to be coming together....as one nation....

White NC resident here, born in Georgia, with ancestry tracing back in the south since before the civil war; my ancestors fought and died for the confederacy. And I voted for Obama, and so did my southern family, and i've never been more proud of my state than I am now.

Lightnin,
In some ways you have a point. Yes, Bush had a terrible first ride to the white house in 2000 because of the controversy surrounding the election and the popular vote issue. But don't forget, that after the 9/11 attacks, Bush's approval ratings were north of 90%. America did rally around him in a time of crisis, and supported the action he took in Afghanista, as did our allies around the world. Only after getting sidetracked in Iraq did the American people turn on Bush.

#78 Hey Jim,
I guess they don't get newspapers, or television with channels besides FOX where you live - the economy - it's in shambles - 8 years of Bush???

#78 Hey Jim,
I guess they don't get newspapers, or television with channels besides FOX where you live - the economy - it's in shambles - 8 years of Bush???

Oh my goodness...America is doomed if this is how Democrats and Republicans are going to continue to respond to one another. Obama won the presidency, he is now OUR president and therefore it is in OUR best interest that he be successful.

What he will do as president will affect us all and whether I voted for him or not I DON'T WANT TO SEE HIM FAIL BECAUSE SURELY HIS FAILURES WILL AFFECT ME!

Don't you get that????

for everyone badmouthing jimmy carter, take another look at his presidency. compared to the last 8 years, carter's errors do not seem too bad.

This whole thread just shows how divided we all can be.... sheesh. Anyone want the economy to get better? Better foreign relations? Better Health? Better education? etc...? If so, forget if you are "Blue or Red" and just hold our new president to his word from the campaign. Not sure how it happened but just because someone is Dem or Rep then why do we blindly defend our kind and attack the other?

Good job NC for voting in big numbers. Now lets all look ahead...

"The last thing we need is to be told what we need by a Harvard liberal ..."

I still don't understand how people can believe themselves when they mock THE MOST INTELLIEGENT PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY. Right, I certainly don't want someone who proved he can handle thinking out solutions to many complex issues as my leader. No, I would rather have someone who sees "Joe the Plumber" as one of her kind. Joe might be a great guy, but I don't want him running the free world. I wouldn't want me running the free world. Think about that before you vote populist again (that goes for both parties, but moreso Reps. this time)... It is undeniable that more-educated people have tended to vote Democratic in modern US elections. I wonder if there is something to that... Now, there are plenty of very intelligent and educated Republicans, and I would feel comfortable with one in office (and have voted for some for Congress. We need someone who can handle the job as an intelligent independent-minded statesman. Bush was intelligent (guffaw-prone, but smarter than he's given credit), but ran the country as aRove party-line cowboy. That's not what we needed.

I think Obama was the right choice, but that both candidates, despite their differences, were better than any other candidate we've had the last 8 or 12 years (Bush, Kerry, Dole, and Gore were all less-desireable IMHO than McCain or Obama - although McCain 2000 was a better candidate than McCain 2008). Way to go America for choosing better candidates overall. And I hope the Rep. party doesn't dump on McCain for the loss. He has been a leading Senator for a long time and has fought for some very important issues. You can't deny his efforts for bipartisanship (which in Congress, does, in fact, mean pragmatism).

Crossing my fingers for moderation, pragmatism, and an effort at unity (as much as Obama or McCain talk about unity, it's up to the people to follow their example). Best to all!

I'd like to see anyone one of you folks who are spewing hate and statistics and cynicism all over this blog actually DO something positive to make this world a better place. This is *democracy*. We vote. The best candidate wins and then we should line up behind that candidate in unity and hope that they do the best job possible so that we all benefit. The problem with this country today is that so many of us would rather be right and suffer than be wrong and prosper. Heaven help this idiotic human race.

Obama outspent McCain to the presidency. If McCain would have collected six times as much money as Obama from such notable sources as DooDad Pro, I'm sure none of you lefties would have had a problem with it, right? I'm sure the media wouldn't have said a word, either.

Obama didn't run a negative campaign? Do any of you remember the way Hillary was treated? You'd think that you would stand up for one of your own. But she is just a woman, isn't she? What about "Sarah Palin will outlaw abortion" isn't fear mongering? Unless of course, you think she is so powerful that she can override a solidly Democratic Congress, the entire court system, and about 90% of all US lawyers by herself.

Another look at Jimmy Carter? Unemployment was twice as high as it is now. Interest rates at around 20%. Iranian hostage crisis. Airplane hijackings what seemed like every other day.

After looking at it again, it still seems just as bad.

I think he's more like Bill Clinton 2.0. And I couldn't be happier!

Our Nation can recover from its very seriouis problems when, and only when, the two Parties (RED & BLUE States) come together, UNITED under one America with common purpose and solutions. The party bashing, blaming, name calling & verbal assaults on each other are only counter-productive & further separate us. Many of the problems we face now are immediate & grave. Presidential Elect Barack Obama & President Bush realize that they have to work together to protect OUR (yours, mine & their) American & Global economy from demise. So I think looking forward with solutions and not looking back with blame, at this point in time, will bring about the stability we need NOW.... So lets support the democratic process, Obama was voted in as our President to be, and let's support him, too.
What other options do we have? Any positive, forwarding looking comments are welcomed......

Here's how this entry could easily have been written without the need for the reporter to inject his own personal views:

"Barack Obama's victory on Tuesday keeps getting larger.

The Associated Press is now giving the president-elect North Carolina, too, concluding that there are not enough uncounted ballots left for John McCain to overcome Obama's lead. The win in North Carolina gives Obama 364 Electoral College votes, with Missouri the only state that's too close to call.

The victory in North Carolina adds another solidly red state to Obama's column. His success in the Tar Heel State, as well as his wins in Indiana and Virginia, are a rare achievement in recent history.

No Democratic candidate has won North Carolina since Jimmy Carter in 1976; Indiana and Virginia last voted for a Democrat in 1964."

I am a history and economics teacher and if you are looking for Presidents to compare Obama's style, intelligence, and skills with I think you should cite FDR or Reagan. He is not a Carter or a Clinton, his communication skills far exceed those of Carter. President-elect Obama has a moral fiber and organizational abilities Bill Clinton could only dream of. Just at happened when the country elected Lincoln; the man and the hour have met. I firmly believe we are embarking on one of the five or six best Presidencies in our history.

Jimmy Carter was also one of only 3 Presidents that won a Nobel Prize for Peace (W Wilson and T Roosevelt were the other two). But peace has no value in America does it? Judging by the support for our questionable war in Iraq it would seem not. Judging by the anger, attacks and vitriol that was witnessed during the election, again I would say not. Each side can find statistics that can be taken out of context to justify some personal victory. These people will unfortuntately continue to try to keep us divided and distract us with bitterness away from the major problems. The reality is that the current administration has mismanaged this country so badly that people were truly suffering. Out of that suffering came overwhelming support for a new way forward. Most people don't really care about blue or red. They care about living a happy and satisfying life.

Well, I'm not an American but I stand with the rest of the world when we look at America. The world was elated when Obama won. The vast majority of people finally see a leader that does indeed show hope. A leader that sees the world and not just the "American way or the highway" attitude that has made us so antagonistic toward you. America used to inspire and now for the first time in a long time it seems it may do so again. What I can't believe is that half the country doesn't see that. Why are half the people there so closed minded that when this planet for the most part says "Yes, someone we can trust" half the population still says "no, you're wrong and we're totally right. La la la, I can't hear you." ?

The significant thing to notice is that America as a nation appeared to mature to the level that we can support a person based only on his or her ability rather than his or her color. However, to me, Obama is a white person even though he looks black. One lingering question we would never know is that if he were raised in a black envionment in America would he be what he is now.

Dubya is the worst ever. No one else is even close!

"The best thing about Obama's landslide: it has pushed the whackjobs on the right-wing radio waves into a suicidal state of mind."

No kiddin'. As the election results were coming in, it was so fun to watch on Fox. Every other network was in such an upbeat mood- Fox looked like a funeral.

I swear, Brit Hume looked like he was going to cry.

Republicans make me laugh Jimmy Carter worst president in America yeah right
you obviously have very select memories for godsakes I feel like screaming BUSH BUSH over again in your tiny ignorant brains many then it will make an impact LOL

Strom Thurmond was a South Carolinian. Get it right!

Congrats to Obama! So Long Bush!

HISTÓRICA Y MUNDIAL VICTORIA DE BARACK OBAMA. ESPEREMOS QUE CUMPLA......"THE CHANGE HAS COME" Y " YES..WE CAN!"QUE LAS TROPAS RETORNEN DE IRAK Y AFGANISTÁN, QUE SE LEVANTEN LAS RESTRICCIONES A CUBA, QUE DIALOGUE CON CHAVEZ, EN FIN QUE PODAMOS TENER UN CAMBIO REAL PARA LA GENTE REAL.
MUCHAS GRACIAS.

BAHIA BLANCA, ARGENTINA

"Destroy the tobacco growing industry once and for all even as it sets it sights to the addiction of the defenseless and ignorant third world,"

BUT Obama is a tobacco (among other things) smoker.
Never understood the leftist obsession with being rabidly anti-tobacco while they are A-OK with pot and drug legalization. The state with the least tobacco and drug use happens to also be the most republican - yep - I'm talking about Utah - go Mormons!

#103. I don't know what country you are from, but for many TRUE Americans, I can say that I'm scared. Scared that Obama is going to sell us out to the rest of the world. This country was founded on freedoms and principles that were and are the envy of the world. My biggest fear is that Obama and his henchmen in the House and Senate will trade in all of the economic and virtuous principles that have made this country great, for "spreading the wealth" socialistic programs. THIS IS NOT RUSSIA or any other communist or socialistic state, nor do we want to follow that model for government.

I'm scared that a country that is so evenly divided could easily be pursuaded to another civil war. Is that possible in this day and age?

I live in a small town in NC and teach in one of the most rural counties in the state. While my town went McCain (54%), the county in which I teach went Obama.
It was not a bunch of transplanted New Englanders that voted Obama in that county. It was unemployed mill workers and struggling farmers.

I am so proud of this country for rejecting the radical ideas of the GOP. They are outdated, are not inclusive and are downright ignorant in some ways. President-elect Obama has redrawn this map and did not need to mudsling, lie or deceive his way there. I am so optimistic about the next 4 (hopefully 8) years of his presidency. I am proud of our country for doing the right thing.

Jimmy Carter AND W. were both horrible presidents. Too bad America can't see past the two party system and must make everything a Liberal/Conservative battle. The choice is.. Big Government liberals OR Big Government Consrvatives. Absolutely NOTHING will change in this country but perception. Vote Libertarian.

Dwight Hearn,
Billy Graham did not pray the prayer you quoted. I am not trying to be disrespectful by pointing this out to you, but like so many of the comments made during this election, this one is also false. By the way, Billy Graham is a registered Democrat. Check it out and you'll find that it's true. True Christians would be praying for the President of this country whether he be Republican OR Democrat. They would not be spreading around hatred, racism, and self-righteousness. It's time we stop trying to find reasons to be divisive in this country and start working together for the greater good.

To the brilliant genius up there who said they would give Obama the same support that they gave President Bush: do whatever you want to do. That comment just shows exactly why the Republican party is going down the toilet. President Bush has put us in an unnecessary war and made our economy go down the tank. If Obama does the same, he'll deserve the same respect that President Bush got. Get over it already and stop whining and saying unnecessary things that don't make sense! You sound like a 5 year old child.

@ lightnin
"We who opposed Obama will extend him and your chosen party EXACTLY the same sort of courtesy, support, cooperation, and assistance that you have so generously and enthusiastically given President Bush for the past 8 years,"

Nice work. Perhaps you ought to consider that people DID give Bush the benefit of the doubt when he took over and are upset with him for what he has done over the last 8 years. Obama hasn't even set foot in the White House yet and you are already taking this childish spiteful attitude. Way to go. Way to be mature.

Were in the worse economy since the great depression and people are being so divided by politics.FDR was a great President no one can doubt that,but it took a World War to pull the World out of depression.Im wondering what it will take this time.If history is any indicator the prospects are grim.

Were in the worse economy since the great depression and people are being so divided by politics.FDR was a great President no one can doubt that,but it took a World War to pull the World out of depression.Im wondering what it will take this time.If history is any indicator the prospects are grim.

#103 Im American and agree with you,I don't understand why almost 50% of us don't get it.Some of us make a lot of noise that could sound like Nationalism.I want us out of Iraq,Afghanistan and stop support for Israel, which I see as one of the worse human rights violators in the world.I fear my own Government taking away our consociational rights in the name of home land security. The US is a terrorist Country when they kills and Mames Innocent people to get one man caller a threat to security,9/11 is no excuse for the crimes the Bush administration have committed. I hope to see this change soon because the USA can and does evolve and that gives me great pride in my Country

I live in western NC close to Boone and I am a strong Obama supporter and am so happy and proud to finally be in a BLUE state. This country has been in a drastically right sided mind set for the past 8 years and it is time to reasses where we are as a country, inparticularly in regards to foreign policy. Just because you a not a republican doesn't mean you are not patriotic or part of the "axis of evil". I feel Obama will change America drastically for the better along with the world's view of America, for the better as well. Hurray for USA and NC!!!!

WELL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW IS OBAMAS IS TRYING TO GET GLOBAL SLAVERY IF I WOULD HAVE KNEW THAT I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT TWICE ABOUT VOTING WHEN I DID JOHN MCCAIN AIN'T THAT BAD BECAUSE HE WAS IN THE MTLTRY. AND HIS TIME WAS UP SO HE SAID HE WASN'T LEAVING UNTIL ALL OF THE TROOPS WERE FREE LIKE HIM SO THEY LET THEM GO FREE AND ANOTHER THING IS HIS DADDY WAS THE HIGHEST THING IN THE MTLTRY. AND NOBODY ELSE GOT TO DO THAT BUT THATS ALL I GOT TO SAY I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT TWICE ABOUT VOTING FOR OBAMA BECAUSE HE LIED TO US BUT THAT IS OK I JUST TWICE ABOUT THAT THOUGH BYEEE....