Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

November 4, 2008

AP: Obama triumphs, will become first African American president

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama was elected the nation’s first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.

The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.

A huge crowd in Grant Park in Chicago erupted in jubilation at the news of Obama’s victory. Some wept.

McCain called to concede defeat — and the end of his own 10-year quest for the White House.

Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, will take their oaths of office as president and vice president on Jan. 20, 2009.

As the 44th president, Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.

The popular vote was close, but not the count in the Electoral College, where it mattered most.

There, Obama’s audacious decision to contest McCain in states that hadn’t gone Democratic in years paid rich dividends.

Obama has said his first order of presidential business will be to tackle the economy. He has also pledged to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months.

Fellow Democrats rode his coattails to larger majorities in both houses of Congress. They defeated incumbent Republicans and won open seats by turn.

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  • Herb and Garden Herb and Garden Show

    Robert and Loris Butterfield were among a large crowd making their way through the 24th Annual Herb and Garden Show at Times Square Mall Friday afternoon. Hours today are 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event is sponsored by Herbs for Health and Fun Club and Mt. Vernon Convention and Visitors Bureau.
     

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • Village offering chat and performance

    MT. VERNON – The Jefferson County Historical Village is offering two opportunities to learn about history in February.

    February 11, 2012

  • Society to hold open meeting

    MT. VERNON— The National MS Society is hosting an open town hall meeting in Mt. Vernon Outland Airport’s Banquet Room Sunday.

    February 11, 2012

  • Principal shares information about school

    MT. VERNON – City Schools District 80 Primary Center Principal Shannon Marler provided the District 80 Board of Education with an update on the school at the latest board meeting.

    February 11, 2012

  • Check Bluford students collect donation

    BLUFORD — There probably hasn’t been much loose change jingling in parents’ pockets who have children attending Bluford Grade and High Schools the last three weeks.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • CASA Men Cooking for CASA winners

    MT. VERNON — The first-ever Men Cooking for CASA fundraiser officially came  to a close Thursday afternoon.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Brehm offering free computer classes

    MT. VERNON — C.E. Brehm Memorial Library is offering free computer classes through a grant funded by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

    February 10, 2012

  • Teachers receive grants

    MT. VERNON — Ten City Schools District 80 teachers recently received grants from the District 80 Foundation.

    February 10, 2012

  • Overdose immunity law to go into effect

    MT. VERNON — Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that will go into effect June 1, which will give immunity from prosecution to people who call 911 to report drug overdoses.

    February 10, 2012

  • Heart Night Second Women’s Heart Night held

    MT. VERNON — A sea of ladies dressed in red descended upon Cedarhurst Center for the Arts on Thursday for the second Women’s Heart Night.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo