U.S. & World

NEW YORK (CBS) ― The election of Barack Obama as America's first black president is having a profound effect on millions of African-Americans. The moment marks a significant chapter in the Civil Rights Movement.

"Oh this means so much to me. You can't imagine what this means to me," said an emotional Harlem resident Wendy Richardson.

For Wendy Richardson, it is no longer just a dream or a piece of Hollywood fiction, but reality.

"My great, great grandmother had to buy her way out of slavery," added Richardson.

It was a late night but a great night for many Harlem residents right here in New York City. After a night of celebrations it was a morning of reflections.

There were chants, displays of patriotism and moments of quiet reflection. So what does the election of our newest president mean? Reverend Dr. Calvin butts of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, speaking to CBS 2, put it like this:

"I would tell them to be very still and listen. And they would hear the voices of our ancestors. I think they would hear their moans and cries, even from the belly of slave ships. I think they would hear the rhetoric, the fiery rhetoric of Fredrick Douglas, or the biting, incisive truth of Malcolm X. I think they would see Rosa Parks sitting down, to stand up."

Larry Rickenbacker was more than happy to sweep up after last night's party:

"A great man has won. It makes cleaning up a little easier."

Warm feelings in front of 'Sylvia's' as the red-white-and-blue Obama on ice began to melt:

"I have two little children. It's a blessing that we finally have an African- American as our 44th president…also, that he's a good person and change is going to come," said Harlem resident Che Moore.

Tiara Davis said Tuesday night's presidential election may also change the life of her little girl, 4-year-old daughter, Charity:

"It could mean better education and health care that she doesn't have now," said Davis.

And a 76-year-old member of Salem United Methodist Church said she never thought she'd see the day:

"It's a wonderful time for the people of Salem and for me as a person. I am so happy that I have lived to see this in my lifetime," said Margaret Wise.


For the segment of the American population that not so long ago couldn't even live freely, let alone vote, Obama's victory is a defining moment in American history.

"I lived through the late 60's…I saw a lot of racial turmoil in the country. To see the country come to the point where a minority, a person of color can be president…it really makes me warm and fuzzy inside," Harlem resident Kevin Long told CBS 2.

Last night some 60 million Americans - from many backgrounds, creeds, and colors - stood up and let their vote become their voice.

Obama's victory comes on the strength of projected wins in battleground states that went to President George W. Bush four years ago - among them Ohio, Florida, Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and Iowa - as well as a victory in Pennsylvania, a state that John McCain had hoped to turn blue to buoy his bid for an upset victory.

As the results came in Tuesday evening, a senior aide told CBS News the McCain camp was hoping for a "miracle," but the Arizona senator was not able to defy expectations in one of the worst election years for Republicans in decades.

"We have come to the end of a long journey," McCain said in a concession speech late Tuesday night. "The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly."

"Let there be no reason now for any American not to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on earth," he added, lauding the historic nature of Obama's victory for African-Americans.

Both McCain and President George W. Bush called Obama Tuesday evening to congratulate him on his victory, the Obama campaign said. The president also called McCain, the White House said, telling the Republican nominee, "John, you gave it your all."

Hillary Clinton, the New York senator whom Obama defeated in a tough Democratic primary battle, released a statement saying that she will do "all that I can" to support Obama and Joe Biden, the vice president elect, "in the difficult work that lies ahead."

She said that under their leadership, as well as that of a Democratic Congress, "we will chart a better course to build a new economy and rebuild our leadership in the world."

Democrats increased their majorities in both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, assuring that their party will control Congress and the White House just a few short years after the Republican Party controlled both.

"The road ahead will be long," Obama said in his remarks. "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."

In addition to the above states, CBS News estimates that Obama will win California, New York, Washington, Michigan, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vermont, Illinois, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Hawaii, Connecticut, Maine, Delaware, Rhode Island, Indiana and the District of Columbia.

McCain will take Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah, West Virginia, South Dakota, Arkansas, Alabama, Idaho, Tennessee, Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska, Oklahoma and Montana the network projects.

Obama is now estimated to take at least 338 electoral votes, while McCain has 159. 270 electoral votes are needed to take the White House.

CBS News has not yet projected winners in, Montana, North Carolina or Missouri.

Exit polls suggested women helped propel Obama to victory, backing the Democratic nominee 56 percent to 43 percent. Obama also held a slight edge among men.

The Democratic nominee did not win white voters, however. The group - which made up three quarters of voters - broke for McCain 55 percent to 43 percent. But black voters, 13 percent of the electorate, voted overwhelmingly for Obama, 95 percent to 4 percent.

Hispanics backed Obama over McCain by a margin of 66 percent to 31 percent, helping him take the Western states of Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. Young voters between 18 and 29 - 18 percent of the electorate - favored Obama 66 percent to 31 percent. Independents also backed Obama, by a small margin.

Exit polls showed widespread pessimism about the economy and the country's leadership. Three in four voters say the U.S. is on the wrong track, while voters gave high disapproval ratings to both President Bush (72 percent) and Congress (73 percent). Voters overwhelmingly cited the struggling economy as the most important issue in their decision.

Long lines were commonplace across the country Tuesday as people waited to cast ballots, with waits of up to six-and-a-half hours in Missouri and four hours in Manhattan. But many voters persevered despite the long waits, and elections officials predicted record turnout nationwide.

"This is our moment," Obama concluded in his victory remarks. "This is our time to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids, to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace, to reclaim the American Dream."

CBS 2's Jay Dow and Magee Hickey contributed to this report.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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