1) Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. He defeated John McCain in a decisive victory. 2) Proposition 8 in California, which would ban gay marriage, was leading in early returns but the final outcome was still uncertain. The measure became the most expensive ballot initiative in the nation this year. 3) In congressional races, Democrats appeared poised to maintain or expand their majorities in both the House and Senate. Results showed Democrats winning 218 seats in the House and maintaining a majority of 56-40 in the Senate, with some races still undecided.

1. LAMN_ 11-05-2008_ A_ 1_ A1_ LA_ 1_C
K
Y
M
TSet: 11-04-2008 23:48
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008
latimes.com
50¢ DESIGNATED AREAS HIGHER © 2008 82 PAGES
IT’S OBAMA
DECISIVE VICTORY MAKES HISTORY
d
In California, gay-marriage ban takes early lead
The first black president-elect wins
a solid mandate and a fortified
Democratic majority in Congress.
Mark Z. Barabak
Barack Obama, the son of
a father from Kenya and a
white mother from Kansas,
was elected the nation’s 44th
president Tuesday, breaking
the ultimate racial barrier to
become the first African
American to claim the coun-
try’s highest office.
A nation founded by slave
owners and seared by civil war
and generations of racial strife
delivered a smashing electoral Matthew Cavanaugh EPA
“Whatever our differences,
college victory to the 47-year-
we are fellow Americans,”
old first-term senator from Illi-
John McCain conceded.
nois, who forged a broad, multi-
racial, multiethnic coalition.
His victory was a leap in the
march toward equality: When NEWS ANALYSIS
Obama was born, people with
Now it’s
his skin color could not even
vote in parts of America, and
many were killed for trying.
“If there is anyone out there
idealism
who still doubts that America
is a place where all things are
possible, who still wonders if
the dream of our founders is
versus
alive in our time, who still ques-
tions the power of our democ-
racy, tonight is your answer,”
realism
Obama told more than 240,000
celebrants gathered along Chi-
cago’s waterfront. Many had
tears streaking their faces.
“It’s been a long time com-
ing,” said Obama, who strode
Doyle McManus
on stage with his wife, Michelle, reporting from washington
and their two daughters, Sasha
and Malia. “But tonight, be-
cause of what we did on this Barack Obama won the
day, in this election, at this de- presidency Tuesday by per-
fining moment, change has suading voters to embrace a
come to America.” seeming paradox: leadership
Obama was beating Repub- based on contradictory princi-
lican John McCain in every ples of change and reassur-
state Democrats carried four ance.
years ago, including Pennsylva- The Illinois senator com-
nia, which McCain had worked bined ambitious goals and a
vigorously to pry away. Obama cautious temperament. He
also made significant inroads promised tax cuts, better
into Republican turf, carrying healthcare, new energy pro-
Ohio, Colorado and Virginia; grams and fiscal discipline all
the latter voted Democratic at the same time, and all with-
Tannen Maury European Pressphoto Agency for the first time in more than out the bitterness and stale-
‘CHANGE HAS COME’: President-elect Barack Obama celebrates with his wife, Michelle, their daughters, Sasha and 40 years. He won the swing mate that arose when those is-
Malia, and more than 240,000 supporters gathered along Chicago’s waterfront. Many wept at the landmark moment. states of Florida, New Hamp- sues were tackled in the past.
shire, Iowa and New Mexico, Now, as Obama moves
which backed President Bush through his transition to the
Nation watches as
in 2004. White House, this effort to
In winning the White House, square the political circle be-
ELECTORAL VOTES Obama to a large degree re- comes the defining challenge in
270 needed to win made the electorate: About 1 in the months ahead. Which Ba-
state weighs ban 349 144 45
10 of those casting ballots
OBAMA McCAIN UNDECIDED rack Obama will dominate as
Tuesday were doing so for the he begins to govern?
first time. Though that number Too much of the ambitious
[See Election, Page A8] [See Analysis, Page A11]
PROPOSITION 8
Prop. 8 battle drew
Where hope has
Eliminate gay marriage 111TH CONGRESS
money and attention YES NO The House of Representatives
from across the U.S.
52.5% 47.5% 218 seats to control the House
wrestled with fear
DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS UNDECIDED
Jessica Garrison,
Results as of 11:33 p.m. Pacific time
242 160 33
Cara Mia DiMassa
with 48% of precincts reporting
and Richard Paddock
And what he was asking —
SANDY BANKS
and offering — was too much
proponents believed that noth-
A measure to ban gay mar- reporting from cleveland
for a nation still bitterly di-
ing less than the future of tradi-
riage in California led in early
The Senate vided by skin color.
tional families was at stake,
returns Tuesday although the I could not
“His candidacy would make
while opponents believed that
final outcome remained in have imagined
51 seats to control the Senate
this country squirm and shud-
they were fighting for the fun-
doubt, leaving advocates on that less than
DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS UNDECIDED
der and maybe even come
damental right of gay people to
both sides in suspense about four years later,
56* 40 4
unglued,” I wrote back then.
be treated equally under the
the most divisive and emotion- he would be
Clearly, I underestimated
law.
ally fraught contest in the state elected president.
him — and us.
In San Francisco, support-
this year. His name was
How could I have been so
ers of gay marriage packed a
Proposition 8 would amend so unfamiliar, I
wrong? Last week, as Obama
ballroom at the Westin St.
the California Constitution to kept stumbling
* Includes 2 independents. All results as of 11:10 p.m. Pacific time
closed in on the presidency, I
Francis Hotel on Tuesday
define marriage as being only over it during our
went back to my hometown to
night.
between a man and a woman. 45-minute interview about the
Analysis: Erasing race assumptions look for answers.
“You decided to live your life
Proposition 8 was the most role of race in his life and in his
out loud. You fell in love and
expensive proposition on any politics. Was it Barack Obama
Even in Virginia, heart of the Confederacy, Obama prevails. A11
you said ‘I do.’ Tonight, we
ballot in the nation this year, or Obama Barack? d
await a verdict,” San Francisco
with more than $74 million The next morning, un-
They wouldn’t miss this for the world
Mayor Gavin Newsom said to a
spent by both sides. bidden, he called me back. Cleveland was a step up for
Voters turn out in droves to take their part in history. A15
[See Prop. 8, Page A21]
The measure’s most fervent “Hey Sandy,” he said. “This my parents. My father’s family
is Barack. I’ve been thinking
Roundup of state propositions fled Georgia in the 1920s, one
about what we talked about, step ahead of a lynch mob set
Measures on redistricting and farm animals are ahead. A20 and I wanted to add some on teaching my uncle a lesson
thoughts.” for daring to sass a white man.
Weather Page ........B10 Printed with soy inks on
latimes.com By the time we finished our Twenty years later, my mother
partially recycled paper.
Complete Index ........A2 second chat, there were two led her siblings north from a
things I thought I knew:
All the latest news farm in Alabama. She met my
TODAY’S INSIDE SECTIONS
Barack Obama was deter- father in Cleveland. They
California, Business, View interactive maps detailing results for elections around the mined to force this country to married, and I was the oldest
85944 00050
7 6
Sports, Calendar and Food country and for all statewide measures and propositions. [See Banks, Page A12]
confront its “legacy of slavery.”