Television screens showed supporters in Harlem and at Grand Park in Chicago celebrating their candidate’s victory with tears and hugs.

“I’m so pumped,” said William Fell, a sophomore in English. “I’m ecstatic.” He said this moments after MSNBC called the presidency for Obama.

Sen. John McCain’s campaign came to an end last night at 11 p.m. when states on the West Coast, including Washington, Oregon, and California, turned blue, putting Obama above the 270 electoral vote mark needed to win the election.

Shortly after, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland spoke to the Regency Ballroom’s crowd of Obama supporters.

“Ohio has turned blue for Obama,” Strickland shouted to enthusiastic applause.

“And Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States.”

The ecstatic ballroom of Ohio Democrats started chanting the signature Obama rally cry, “Yes we can.”

Other developments gave the gathered crowd reason to celebrate. Iowa, Colorado, and New Mexico soon followed Ohio into the Obama column. At the same time, McCain took Texas, South Carolina and Georgia.

A number of Obama policies drew voter support Tuesday. Adam Rosen, an OSU alumnus, compared Obama to John F. Kennedy in his call for national service.

“Obama will support public education and will fund no child left behind,” said Rosen, an Ohio Education Association Employee. OEA endorsed Obama for president.

Carrie Ann Morgan, an OSU alumna, said she identifies with Obama’s community involvement.

“I support Barack Obama because his commitment to community service and public service is like mine,” she said.

Life-long democrat Tom Young, who graduated from OSU in 1969, said the economy is the most important issue.

“Obama’s tax cuts will affect more people than McCain’s,” he said. “There is also going to need to be more government regulation of the economy.”

Alex Ameter, a senior in international studies and political science said he thinks Obama can bring calm to foreign relations.

“I think Obama will build international institutions and peace between countries,” Ameter said.

Chi Nkemere, a junior in political science and African-American studies perhaps had the simplest answer as to why she was glad Obama won: “Barack Obama makes sense,” she said.