Election Night

President-elect Barack Obama greeted the world from Chicago's Grant Park tonight, outlining the historic nature of his presidency and the many challenges that lay ahead. After thanking John McCain, running mate and VP-elect Joe Biden, his family and his campaign, he said his victory belongs to the people.

"Change has come to America. If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible. Who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep, we may not get there in one year or even in 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."

Obama went on to say there would be setbacks and false starts, but that he will rebuild America with the help of the nation, "block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand." He ended with a passionate "Yes we can." What did you think of Obama's first speech as president?

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John McCain conceded less than 30 minutes after polls closed on the West Coast tonight, saying he had already called Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on his historic win. In a speech made to his supporters in Arizona, McCain expressed his sympathies that Obama's grandmother did not live to see her grandson elected and offered goodwill to the president elect.

Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help and lead us through the many challenges we face. I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next President our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together.

McCain went on to tell supporters it is "natural to feel some disappointment. Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours." Love him or hate him, what did you think of McCain's speech?

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Barack Obama took the presidency tonight after breakthrough wins in Ohio and Virginia. At 8 p.m. PST, as soon as the polls closed in California, Oregon and Washington, the networks called the election of President Barack Obama. Republican candidate John McCain suffered losses in Ohio, the state that narrowly gave President George W. Bush victory in 2004, but also in key states like Pennsylvania, Iowa and New Mexico.

There are a number of Senate seats that have not yet been decided, and we will keep on top of that, but for now congratulations to the Democrats and Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.

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Barack Obama took a state out of the 2004 Republican column. No Republican has ever won the presidency, without winning Ohio.

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The night is still early, but NBC is saying Barack Obama has started off with a lead in the Electoral College by winning Pennsylvania. Both parties targeted the so-called "Keystone State" as crucial to winning the race, along with large Eastern and Midwestern states like Florida and Missouri.

It's projected that Obama also won Massachusetts, New Jersey, and his home state of Illinois.

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Virginians have elected ex-Governor Mark Warner as their newest senator. The once red state has become pretty blue. Virginia now has two Democratic senators and a Democrat in the governor's mansion. Soon we will see what the Old Dominion has to say about the next president of the United States.

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While Americans exercise their right to vote, you can get prepared for the results. Sadly, we won't have Tim Russert to walk us through it all this year. Barack Obama supporters can start feeling relieved if their candidate wins either Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, or Florida. Conversely, a magic combination of wins for John McCain could include Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. Here are the states you should keep an eye on:

• Indiana: The nation's first polls begin to close in typically red Indiana at 6 p.m. EST. If Obama wins the 11 electoral votes, things won't look good for McCain.
• Virginia: McCain's most practical path to the White House includes Virginia and its 13 votes. Polls close at 7 p.m. EST.
• Georgia: Things are close here, but we'll know who gets the 15 electoral votes sometime after polls close at 7 p.m. EST.
• Florida: The notorious swing state might not be as essential as past years, but with 27 electoral votes it's a crucial prize.
• Ohio: Polls close there at 7:30 p.m. EST. It should be a close battle, as usual, for the state's 20 votes!

For more states that could decide the race, read more

For election night, go patriotic with the decor. Serve the food on modern, red trays. Since Liberty and I are hosting our bash at a local bar, the napkins and plates will be paper and plastic. Tie red, white, and blue balloons to the bar ends. Serve the drinks in Obama or McCain cups. Arrange a bouquet of red, white, and blue flowers. Hang a stars and stripes banner above the door, so guests know they are at the right bar. Put white candles in red glass votives and place them on the bar tables. When guests arrive, offer them a metallic star necklace.

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