Obama Elected President
of the United States

Barack Obama is poised to make history. On November 4, 2008 at exactly 8:00 p.m., CNN projected that the Illinois senator will win the presidency of the United States of America. It showed Obama with 338 electoral votes, well over the 270 needed for victory.

Sen. Barack Obama spoke at a rally in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, after winning the race for the White House Tuesday night. The following is an exact transcript of his speech.

"Hello Chicago. 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 still alive in our time, who still questions the power of democracy - tonight is your answer," he said to rapturous applause.

He paid tribute to his late grandmother, who died on the eve of her grandson's stunning victory, and promised his children a puppy for the White House.

Mr Obama thanked Americans for their votes regardless of their race, regardless of their sexual orientation and regardless of whether they were disabled or able-bodied.

Mr Obama paid tribute to the millions of people who had voted for him, saying he would provide a "Government of the people, by the people and for the people".

"Americans have sent a message to the rest of the world that we are not a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are and always will be the United States of America," he said.

He paid tribute to rival Senator McCain, saying he had been pushed all the way by a man who had campaigned with "all his heart and soul".

He also paid tribute to his campaign team and his supporters who voted for him.

"To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this possible."

"Change has come," he told a jubilant hometown Chicago crowd estimated at nearly a quarter-million people.

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