CNN: OBAMA TO BE NEXT PRESIDENT
CNN projects that Barack Obama will be the nation's 44th president.CNN projects that Sen. Barack Obama will win the presidential election.
Obama will address the country from a rally in Chicago, Illinois, later Tuesday night.As news broke, supporters cried and cheered, "Yes, we can."
Obama will become the first African-American to win the presidency.The Illinois senator is projected to pick up a big win in Virginia, a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic president since 1964.Obama also is projected to beat Sen. John McCain in Ohio, a battleground state that was considered a must-win for the Republican candidate. Video Watch more on Obama's Ohio win »
Earlier in the evening, senior McCain aides were growing pessimistic about the Arizona senator's chances.Going into the election, national polls showed Obama with an 8-point lead.In addition to the presidential contest, voters were making choices in a number of key House and Senate races that could determine whether the Democrats strengthen their hold on Congress.
Former Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, will win a Senate seat in Virginia, CNN projects. He will replace retiring Republican Sen. John Warner.Incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a Republican, is projected to lose her North Carolina seat to Democratic challenger Kay Hagan. Video Watch Dole concede defeat »Dole is the wife of 1996 Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole.
CNN also projects Democrats will win two other Senate seats currently held by Republicans. In New Hampshire, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen will win over incumbent John Sununu, and in New Mexico, Democrat Tom Udall will defeat Republican Steve Pearce.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell held onto his seat in Kentucky.Delaware voters re-elected Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, to his seventh term. iReport.com: Share your Election Day reaction with CNN
CNN's Ed Henry said there were lots of long faces in the lobby of the McCain headquarters at the Arizona Biltmore hotel as McCain allies watched returns showing Senate Republicans losing their seats.
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