Barack Obama Wins

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, Sasha Obama Caption: President-elect Barack Obama, left, his wife Michelle Obama, right, and two daughters, Malia, and Sasha, center left, wave to the crowd at the election night rally in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Nov 3, 2008 at 2:10 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 5, 2008 at 4:53 PM CST

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama has been elected president of the United States, the first African-American elevated to the White House.

With victories in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and other battleground states, Obama built a commanding lead over his Republican rival, John McCain.

Obama surged in the polls amid a national financial crisis, campaigning as the candidate of change. He and his fellow Democrats sought to link McCain to the unpopular George W. Bush.

The son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas, Obama soared into the national spotlight after his electrifying speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, when he was making his first run for the Senate.

Emphasizing his early opposition to the Iraq war, he defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton after a long, bruising primary fight. He then beat back Republican efforts to portray him as reckless, naive and inexperienced. He also had to combat Internet misinformation questioning his religion and patriotism.

As he fought to become president, Obama attracted millions of first-time voters - and brought the historic American election to the attention of the entire world.

There are cheers and tears in Chicago's Grant Park. Thousands erupted with joy after news organizations projected Barack Obama as the winner of the 2008 presidential race.

Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-lll, gather at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
 
Supporters cheer as they hear results from television that President-elect Barack Obama has been elected President of the United States at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
 
Members of Democrats Abroad in the Philippines celebrate the predicted victory of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama during an election watch in suburban Manila, Philippines on Wednesday Nov. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
 
Obama Girls dance the Hula to celebrate as it is announced on television that Barack Obama has been elected the President of the United States in Obama, western Japan, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
 
A supporter reacts after it was announced that Barack Obama has been elected President of the United State at the election night party for Obama at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
 
Kenyan family members of U.S. Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama, including his step-grandmother Sarah Obama, second left, and a distant cousin Reyson Obama, right, whose grandfather was the brother of Barack's grandfather, celebrate after his victory in the U.S. election was announced, at the family's homestead in Kogelo village, Kenya, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. The village is where U.S. Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama's step-grandmother lives. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
 
 
 Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. is joined on stage by wife Cindy McCain during an election night rally in Phoenix Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
 
 
 Carol Schulstad, of Eden Prairie, covers her ears as Republican Presidential candidate John McCain concedes the election to Democrat Barack Obama as she attends a gathering at the Rebulican Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 in Bloomington, Minn.(AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
 
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., gestures as he delivers remarks during an election night rally in Phoenix Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
 
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, is joined by wife Cindy McCain, center, and Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, during an election night rally in Phoenix Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

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