Obama Elected 44th President
Senator Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, being the first Democrat to receive more than 50 percent of the popular vote since Jimmy Carter, MPR and the New York Times report.
Obama defeated Senator John McCain with 364 electoral college votes. Obama won major battleground states such as Ohio and Florida as well as many states that have not been won by a Democrat in 44 years.
Obama's election broke through racial barriers, as America's first black president.
McCain conceded the election shortly after 10 p.m. CST from the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.
"The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly," said McCain.
"These are difficult times for our country," he said. "And I pledge to him [Obama] tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face."
Obama acknowledged the challenges that are ahead in his speech, mentioning the war and the current economic crisis.
"There will be setbacks and false starts," said Obama. "There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem."