Filed at 11:35 p.m.
Two bets have emerged in 301 Flowers, the long-time home of The Chronicle, in the aftermath of Sen. Barack Obama’s historic presidential victory.
First, how will other news outlets play race in the leads of their stories? Most of the newsroom thought the fact that Obama is the first black president would have to be in the first sentence, and we were right. The New York Times lede: “Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, sweeping away the last racial barrier in American politics with ease as the country chose him as its first black chief executive.”
Second, what will the first line of Obama’s acceptance speech be? Beyond the minutes and minutes worth of thank yous, we’ve come up with three frontrunners:
- Yes, we did.
- Tonight, the American people chose change… (or some iteration of this idea)
- You know, they said this day would never come (a direct allusion to his acceptance speech after winning the Iowa caucus back in January).
Feel free to drop your ideas below.
Sen. Barack Obama’s win in the race for president was greeted with sadness and disbelief here tonight. As 11:00 p.m. passed and the West Coast turned blue, the faces of McCain supporters turned down.
“I’m disgusted,” said Elisabeth Smith, a student at North Carolina State University, as she watched Obama supporters in Illinois party on TV. ”I feel like people would not be that excited if they knew what they are getting into.”
Elisabeth Smith - Zachary Tracer/The Chronicle
Smith was joined at what was supposed to be a Republican celebration by Meredith College students Kate McGuire and Rachel Boyd. Despite the reports of the FOX anchors, the students held out hope for a McCainc comeback.
“I don’t believe it,” Boyd said. ”I mean, it could change so easily”
More photos as McCain gives his concession speech:
Concession Speech - Zachary Tracer/The Chronicle
Reaction - Zachary Tracer/The Chronicle
Posted at 11:00 pm EST
News outlets have projected that Sen. Barack Obama has won the state of California, its 55 electoral votes and has been elected the 44th President of the United States.
Filed at 10:47 p.m.
Attorney General Roy Cooper’s speech was interrupted by the wildest cheers yet as CNN projected Virginia for Obama. A Obama victory seems all-but-certain as this point to those in the crowd. Even the McCain camp seems to be becoming dejected, CNN reports.
With eyes red and a hint of tiredness, they wait restlessly for the official call.
David Price addressed the crowd moments ago, lauding the achievements of “President Barack Obama” and the “team for change,” also congratulating his new colleague in Congress, State sen. Kay Hagan.
Filed at 10:43 p.m.
Fox News has projected that Sen. Obama has won the state of VIrginia.
Loading ...