Obama's local supporters celebrate historic victory

If someone had told Tom Reck two years ago that the 44th president of the United States would be a black man, he would have laughed.

But sitting at a Barack Obama watch party Tuesday in Blue Springs, that laughter turned to shear joy as he watched Obama become the president-elect of the United States.

“Barack Obama is an exceptional person, has run an exceptional campaign and has some exceptional ideas,” said the smiling Independence resident. “He has shown that he is concerned about Americans and understands the issues. I believe he will be a great president and people know that.”

Obama delivered his acceptance speech to an estimated 240,000 people in Chicago after overwhelmingly winning the electoral college against opponent, Republican Sen. John McCain. Once again, Missouri remained a battleground state, the race too close to call in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

At 1:30 a.m., a fraction of a percentage point separated the two in Missouri.

Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, all states that both Obama and McCain campaigned heavily in during the weeks leading up to the election, all fell to Obama. He also won Democratic strongholds such as New York, California, Nevada, Illinois and Minnesota. McCain claimed many of the Midwestern states including Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas as well as southern states Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Donna Taylor, a Grain Valley resident and John McCain supporter, waited until McCain’s concession speech to lose hope for her candidate. She said she felt like her ideals were more aligned with that of McCain and running mate Sarah Palin, than Obama and wished that the election had turned out differently.

“I don’t trust him (Obama) and what he says,” she said. “I also don’t believe that there is any way that he can actually give 95 percent of Americans a tax rebate. It is not possible and cannot be done.”

Theresa and Tad Kioh made election night a family affair by bringing their 9-year-old daughter Hannah to the Obama watch party. Theresa Kioh said they have really tried to make the election a learning experience for Hannah, researching the issues and selecting a candidate as a family. Hannah’s school, John Nowlin Elementary also had its own election where once again, Obama prevailed.

“We really connected with Obama and what he had to say,” she said. “I think McCain talked in circles, and we never really knew what he stood for. It feels good to see Obama win, and we believe she (Hannah) will remember this for the rest of her life.”

Hannah said she was excited to be involved in the election and wishes she was old enough to cast her vote.

“I really like Obama,” she said. “I went to both Web sites and compared the ideas of each candidate. I really liked the ideas of Obama better.”

Although McCain was not elected, Grain Valley resident Rachel Thiel was excited to have participated in her first election.

“I looked at both candidates, but once I made my decision, I stuck with it,” she said. “I liked McCain because I believe he is a true American. He was willing to sacrifice for his country and really has a love for America. He has a respect for our forefathers, which I really liked. I wish he would have won.”