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Obama surges ahead in US election Obama surges ahead in US election
(10 minutes later)
Democratic Senator Barack Obama is projected to have won two key battleground states, giving him a strong lead in the presidential race.Democratic Senator Barack Obama is projected to have won two key battleground states, giving him a strong lead in the presidential race.
His projected win in Ohio, won by the Republicans in 2004, is a crucial stepping stone to the White House.His projected win in Ohio, won by the Republicans in 2004, is a crucial stepping stone to the White House.
He also took Pennsylvania. This was one of John McCain's main targets, and experts say it will be difficult for him to win without it.He also took Pennsylvania. This was one of John McCain's main targets, and experts say it will be difficult for him to win without it.
Amid reports of "unprecedented turnout" other results have gone as expected.Amid reports of "unprecedented turnout" other results have gone as expected.
Mr Obama is hoping to become the first black president of the United States.Mr Obama is hoping to become the first black president of the United States.
The main developments include:
  • Mr Obama is projected to have seized Ohio and New Mexico - both Republican wins in 2004.
  • He is also projected to have won: Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Delaware, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island.
  • Mr McCain is projected to have won: Kentucky, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, Georgia, Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas.
  • The Democrats made early gains in the Senate race, seizing seats from the Republicans in Virginia, North Carolina and New Hampshire.
  • Exit polls suggest the economy was the major deciding factor for six out of 10 voters.
  • Nine out of 10 said the candidates' race was not important to their vote, the Associated Press reported. Almost as many said age did not matter.
The main developments include:
  • Mr Obama is projected to have seized Ohio, New Mexico and Iowa - all Republican wins in 2004.
  • He is also projected to have won: Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Delaware, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island.
  • Mr McCain is projected to have won: Kentucky, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, Georgia, Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas, Mississippi, Utah.
  • The Democrats made early gains in the Senate race, seizing seats from the Republicans in Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire and New Mexico.
  • Exit polls suggest the economy was the major deciding factor for six out of 10 voters.
  • Nine out of 10 said the candidates' race was not important to their vote, the Associated Press reported. Almost as many said age did not matter.
An Obama win in Ohio, if confirmed, would be an important gain. The state, with its 20 electoral college votes, is a key battleground. It was a vital win for George W Bush in 2000 and 2004.An Obama win in Ohio, if confirmed, would be an important gain. The state, with its 20 electoral college votes, is a key battleground. It was a vital win for George W Bush in 2000 and 2004.
LOSSES AND GAINS Key statesProjected gains for Obama in former Republican states of Ohio, New Mexico Senate seatsVirginia: Democrat Mark Warner replaces retiring Republican John WarnerNew Hampshire: Democrat Jeanne Shaheen unseats Republican John SununuNorth Carolina: Democrat Kay Hagan replaces Republican Elizabeth DoleNew Mexico: Democrat Tom Udall replaces retiring Republican Pete Domenici Send us your viewsIn pictures: America votesGuide to US election night LOSSES AND GAINS Key states Projected gains for Obama in former Republican states of Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa Senate seats Virginia: Democrat Mark Warner replaces retiring Republican John WarnerNew Hampshire: Democrat Jeanne Shaheen unseats Republican John SununuNorth Carolina: Democrat Kay Hagan replaces Republican Elizabeth DoleNew Mexico: Democrat Tom Udall replaces retiring Republican Pete Domenici Send us your viewsIn pictures: America votesGuide to US election night
New Mexico was also Republican last time round, though much less influential, with five electoral college votes. New Mexico and Iowa were also Republican last time round, though much less influential, with five and seven electoral college votes respectively.
All of the other results so far have gone according to expectations, and followed the same pattern as in 2004.All of the other results so far have gone according to expectations, and followed the same pattern as in 2004.
But Pennsylvania was significant, because Mr McCain was hoping to score an upset there, and had spent a lot of time campaigning in the state.But Pennsylvania was significant, because Mr McCain was hoping to score an upset there, and had spent a lot of time campaigning in the state.
BBC North America editor Justin Webb said this one result could mean the night "has ended relatively early".BBC North America editor Justin Webb said this one result could mean the night "has ended relatively early".
Mr McCain had also hoped to pick up New Hampshire.Mr McCain had also hoped to pick up New Hampshire.
Momentous dayMomentous day
Several key states are reporting a heavy turnout. A total of 130 million Americans are expected to vote.Several key states are reporting a heavy turnout. A total of 130 million Americans are expected to vote.
If that figure is confirmed, turnout will be higher than for any election since 1960.If that figure is confirmed, turnout will be higher than for any election since 1960.
There were reports of glitches with electronic voting machines in some states, including Florida, Ohio and Virginia - though not on a big scale.There were reports of glitches with electronic voting machines in some states, including Florida, Ohio and Virginia - though not on a big scale.
Mr Obama and his wife voted at a polling station in Chicago, Illinois, with their two daughters.Mr Obama and his wife voted at a polling station in Chicago, Illinois, with their two daughters.
"When polls close, the journey ends but voting with my daughters, that was a big deal," he said afterwards."When polls close, the journey ends but voting with my daughters, that was a big deal," he said afterwards.
Mr McCain cast his ballot in Phoenix, Arizona.Mr McCain cast his ballot in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Excited crowds at Obama rallyExcited crowds at Obama rally
Unusually, both candidates continued to campaign during polling day - Mr Obama in Indiana and his rival in Colorado and New Mexico.Unusually, both candidates continued to campaign during polling day - Mr Obama in Indiana and his rival in Colorado and New Mexico.
Mr McCain, 72, urged supporters to "get out there and vote", and "drag" their neighbours to polling stations if need be.Mr McCain, 72, urged supporters to "get out there and vote", and "drag" their neighbours to polling stations if need be.
Many Americans said they felt they were voting in a historic election, not least because of the possibility of choosing the first African-American president.Many Americans said they felt they were voting in a historic election, not least because of the possibility of choosing the first African-American president.
Faton Fall, 40, a black voter queuing at a Baptist church in Chicago, said: "It means a lot to me. I'm overwhelmed. I can't say more."Faton Fall, 40, a black voter queuing at a Baptist church in Chicago, said: "It means a lot to me. I'm overwhelmed. I can't say more."
There are also elections to renew the entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats.There are also elections to renew the entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats.
Democrats are expected to expand majorities in both chambers.Democrats are expected to expand majorities in both chambers.
They need to gain nine Senate seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them extra legislative power.They need to gain nine Senate seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them extra legislative power.
Daunting tasksDaunting tasks
The final Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll of the election published on Tuesday found likely voters favoured Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 54-43%.The final Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll of the election published on Tuesday found likely voters favoured Mr Obama by 11 points over Mr McCain, 54-43%.
Whoever becomes the 44th president of the US will inherit a daunting series of challenges, including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a global financial crisis.Whoever becomes the 44th president of the US will inherit a daunting series of challenges, including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a global financial crisis.
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McCain reflects on his campaignMcCain reflects on his campaign
Under the US Electoral College system, states are allocated votes based on their representation in Congress.Under the US Electoral College system, states are allocated votes based on their representation in Congress.
In almost every state, the winner gets all these college votes.In almost every state, the winner gets all these college votes.
To become president, a candidate needs to win a majority across the country - 270 college votes out of a possible 538.To become president, a candidate needs to win a majority across the country - 270 college votes out of a possible 538.
The presidential election has been the most expensive in US history - costing $2.4bn, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.The presidential election has been the most expensive in US history - costing $2.4bn, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.