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American Morning

Reporting on Election Results; Speaking with Voters About Election Results; McCain Gracious in Concession Speech; Obama Repaints Electoral Map; Harlem Reveling in Obama's Historic Victory

Aired November 05, 2008 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: It is now 5:00 a.m. on the East Coast. It's 2:00 a.m. in the west. And if you're just waking up, it is a new day in America.
Barack Obama elected, the 44th president of the United States. He will become the nation's first black president. This will be 136 years after black men were first granted the right to vote in this country.

The first and second families, drinking it all in on stage last night in front of an unprecedented election night crowd in Chicago's Grant Park. The president-elect promising to be everyone's commander in chief.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is your victory.

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime. Two wars. A planet in peril. The worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctor's bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build and threats to meet, alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term.

But America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there.

(CROWD CHANTING)

OBAMA: There will be setbacks, and false starts. 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.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block. Brick by brick. Calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change and that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.

Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans who -- whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTS: Well, this morning the celebrations continue and the transition is already in motion. The best political team on television is bringing you this historic moment and reaction from across the country.

First to our Suzanne Malveaux who is live at Grant Park in Chicago.

And Suzanne, it's been a long -- almost 22 months to get to this point, but for the winner, a lot of work still ahead. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely right, John. A lot of work and the campaign is very much aware of that.

Barack Obama starts his day today like many other dads who's going to take his two daughters to school. Then he's going to head to the gym. But then after that, everything is going to change. He's going to be in meetings all day with his top advisers here in Chicago to plan his transition to the presidency.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice over): Barack Obama making history as the first African-American U.S. president-elect.

From his home state of Illinois, to his father's homeland in Kenya, on Main Street to Wall Street and -- and outside the gates of the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: John, sorry about that technical problem with the tease there. But one thing that really stood out last night in Barack Obama's speech was the tone and the -- call for, really, the need to move forward here and to do it rather quickly in this transition.

It was a rather somber speech. They talked about change and they talked about everything that needs to be done. But he really set the stage here for a transition that need to happen very quickly.

He talked about Afghanistan. He talked about Iraq, the soldiers that are there, and he talked about the economic crisis. And so you really got a sense that this is a team that's going to roll up their sleeves and get to work right away.

I talked to his chief of staff last night, Anita Dunn, who said expect to -- actually get some announcements about the team members on the transition. Not White House positions necessarily this week, but certainly in the weeks to come.

You're going to hear those kinds of things coming out of this group. It is obviously a very serious tone. Not a lot of the -- you saw the celebration outside it, but Barack Obama pretty much focused on what needs to be done -- John?

ROBERTS: We should point out, Suzanne, that when you -- when you say chief of staff, Anita Dunn, that's the campaign chief of staff. He's not yet chosen a chief of staff.

MALVEAUX: Right.

ROBERTS: ... for his White House team yet.

MALVEAUX: Right.

ROBERTS: That was rumored to be Congressman Rahm Emanuel. He's certainly somebody with a wealth of experience. There's obviously a lot of work to get done. There are a lot of pressing issues that facing the president-elect. He has what will be a very short time to try to get prepared for it. About nine or ten weeks at the outside.

But I'm sure a lot of folks at home are wondering, it's been almost two years on the road, all of these campaign stops, all these fundraisers, all of this work. Is he going to take any time off?

MALVEAUX: Boy, I think that's the big question for all of us. I know that one thing, obviously, it's a sad occasion that he and Maya, obviously, are going to attend, the funeral arrangement of his grandmother who passed away the day before the election. So that is going to be a very -- a personal matter that they are going to go ahead and take care of.

But we expect that he is going to be spending some time here in Chicago, obviously, with his family. He's also going to be spending time in Washington. The transition team will be on both sides. As you know as it gets closer to January, much more time in Washington, D.C.

But he is the kind of person -- he talks about it all the time that he really misses his daughters tremendously as well as his wife, Michelle. They give him a great deal of encouragement and confidence. So he is going to take a little bit of time to at least to be with his family -- John?

ROBERTS: Suzanne Malveaux for us this morning from Grant Park, or what remains of it.

Suzanne, thanks so much.

Chicago's Grant Park, like New York's Time Square on New Year's Eve, last night. Waves of Barack Obama supporters estimated to close to a quarter of a million strong. All cramming in to be a part of the moment in the biggest election night rally in memory.

Our Alina Cho was among the masses and she joins us now live.

It was quite a celebration last night there, Alina.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was really incredible, John. As you've seen in all of the pictures that we have been showing, nearly a quarter of a million strong, a lot of regular supporters, a lot of dignitaries and celebrities, too, among them, Oprah Winfrey.

Remember, Oprah is really one of Barack Obama's original supporters when she endorsed Obama. America really sat up and took note. So it was no surprised that she was at Grant Park for this celebration, for this historic night.

I had an opportunity to go one-on-one with Oprah and I wanted to know what she thought of President-elect Obama.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CHO (on camera): How does it feel tonight?

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST, OBAMA SUPPORTER: It feels like hope won. It feels like it's not just victory for, obviously, Barack Obama. It feels like America did the right thing. It feels like there's a shift in consciousness.

It fees like something really big and bold has happened here, like nothing ever in our lifetimes did we expect this to happen.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: As you can see there, Oprah really, really enthusiastic.

Also in the crowd, Brad Pitt, the Black Eyed Peas, Spike Lee -- quite a lineup. Also among the crowd there tonight so many politicians who worked so hard over these 22 months to get Barack Obama elected.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: It's been a long 22 months, so now what?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, now we govern. And now we turn around the economy and we reach out to working class and middle class people who've been left behind, and put the country back together.

REP. RAHM EMANUEL (D), ILLINOIS: This is a special night. And I think Barack -- President-elect Obama said it exactly right, that this is a change and it's an opportunity -- it's a chance for the type of change we wanted.

CHO: Are we looking at the next White House chief of staff?

EMANUEL: No, you're looking at the father of three kids.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: So Rahm Emanuel, the Democratic congressman from Illinois, remaining tight lipped about whether he'll be officially part of an Obama administration. But safe to say, the fourth ranking member of the House has enthusiastically offered the president-elect his help and I have a sneaking suspicion that some of Obama's old friends from Chicago may be moving to the beltway come January -- John?

ROBERTS: Alina, there was some speculation that Rahm Emanuel might take a run at the presidency in 2012 if Barack Obama didn't make it, but I guess, that's out the window so perhaps he's got a fallback position.

Alina Cho for us this morning -- Alina, thanks so much.

By the way, we want you to be a part of our special coverage this morning. We're asking quick vote questions every hour and here's the one for this hour.

Did the media influence the outcome of the election?

Call our toll free number, 866-979-VOTE. That's 866-979-VOTE. Or you can text your answer to 94553. That's 94553.

After all of the talk of race and this so-called Bradley effect in this election, results from the exit polls. What voters said about how much weight they gave to race in the end.

You're watching the most politics in the morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHETRY: And welcome back to the most politics in the morning on this historic day as America elects its first African-American president.

You know race was a big issue in the campaign but how much should it really matter to voters on Election Day.

Senior political analyst Bill Schneider joins us now with a look at some of the exit polling.

Hey, Bill.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Hi, Kiran. Well, the most remarkable thing here in the exit polls was something that did not show up. And that was heightened racial division.

Let's take a look at white voters in the entire country. Here's the United States. And let's take a look at white voters nationwide who are right here. They voted 43 percent for Barack Obama.

Now McCain did carry the white vote but Obama's 43 percent was actually better than most recent Democrats have done. It's better than Al Gore did, better than John Kerry did, better than Walter Mondale, better than Bill Clinton in 1992, better than Michael Dukakis.

It was tied with Clinton's reelection support from white voters in 1996. The only recent president who's done better than that among white voters was Jimmy Carter in 1976. Clinton, as I say, tied it in 1996, not 1976.

Being African-American may have actually helped Obama as much as it hurt him. He got a very solid vote -- oops, that's not it. This is African-American voters up at the top. He got 95 percent of the African-American vote which is a peak for a presidential Democrat. And here's something interesting. Latino voters. There were some debate over whether Latino voters would vote for an African- American candidate. Let's take a look. They did, no question. Two- thirds voted for Barack Obama.

Only 32 percent voted for McCain, which was down from the support that George Bush got among Latino voters, about 40 percent four years ago.

So really, Obama's victory symbolized one of the important themes of his campaign, and that is national unity. He said in Florida the night before the election, we are all one nation. All of us proud. All of us patriots.

He promised to deliver what President Bush had promised back in 1999 and failed to deliver, that is to be uniter, not a divider -- Kiran?

CHETRY: Very interesting look at how you're able to break those down for us this morning.

Bill Schneider, thanks so much.

Well, while so much attention is being paid to the history-making presidential race, the election also brought some pretty big changes in the Senate, a shift in power, as well. Win by win, we'll break them down for you, still ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTS: We're back with the most politics in the morning. A historic night for Barack Obama, but also a big night for the Democrats in general, increasing their margins in the House and the Senate, shifting the balance of power, slightly more to the left.

Our Jim Acosta is here, following it all with the magic wall and the virtual Capitol as well.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That is correct. And we want to remind our viewers that is not a -- that is not a cardboard cutout of the Capitol. That's a 3D hologram and we'll be playing with that as we move on throughout the morning.

This is the 110th Congress. We want to go with live results now to show how the balance of power is shifting. This was a map-changing election. And it was a map-changing election because Democrats made inroads in the south In Virginia, let's start there. Mark Warner, the former governor of Virginia, he has crushed the other former governor in this race, Jim Gilmore, beating him soundly in that race.

Barack Obama spent a lot of time in Virginia. It paid off for him there.

In North Carolina, let's go North Carolina because that is another big pickup. Kay Hagan destroyed Elizabeth Dole on this race. She won by almost 10 points which was a larger victory than a lot of people expected for Kay Hagan.

So two Democratic pickups in the south and -- so that is going to serve Barack Obama well.

One reason why we know that this race is not completely a Democratic blow out, is because if you look at races like Kentucky. Let's look at Kentucky real quick. Mitch McConnell, the minority leader there, he held on to the seat, holding off Bruce Lunsford. So Mitch McConnell holding that seat, keeping it Republican.

That means, for all intents and purposes, that the Democrats will probably not reach that magic number of 60 seats that would basically defeat any filibuster attempt.

Let's go to the House. Let's take a look at the House because that is also very in court right now. The balance of power has shifted dramatically in the House. We're now estimating around 251 seats for the Democrats, 171 for the Republicans.

But as you can see, looking at the 110th Congress, 236 for the Democrats. That's only a 15-seat pickup at this point. So that is not a huge landslide. That is not a tsunami. This was a category 3 hurricane for Barack Obama and the Democrats. Not a cat 5.

And so when we go back to the Senate, you can see definitely there is a shift in terms of the political landscape here. But what we're keeping our eye on at this point, because these are the rubber matches right here, these four white seats that have yet to be decided.

Alaska, Ted Stevens, despite that felony conviction, he is still hanging on to that seat. So there -- we may still see the incredible hulk tie before it's all said and done, John Roberts. Ted Stevens is not finished yet, although Mitch McConnell has said Ted Stevens will not be serving in the next Senate.

And Georgia, Oregon, Minnesota -- Al Franken has not taken that seat in the Senate, John. We watched that seat closely because if there's any state where Democrats should have picked up a Senate seat, the convention wisdom said, it should have been Minnesota.

That is a seat that Democrats should have win and they may not win. Norm Coleman may hang on to that seat, which, for all intents and purposes, means we have a centrist Democratic-leaning Senate at this point, Democratic-leaning House. But again, not a tsunami, not a cat 5 for Barack Obama. He's going to have to govern as a centrist if he wants to get things done in Washington, John.

ROBERTS: Of course, the big word as Republicans were pointing out was if anything, we may lose the White House but let's not give the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Looks at this point like they probably don't have it.

ACOSTA: They're in the wilderness right now, but they can see the lights of the city off on the horizon, John.

ROBERTS: All right. Jim Acosta for us this morning, John, thanks so much.

ACOSTA: You bet.

ROBERTS: Democrats and many independents celebrating last night's historic election, but what about Republicans across the country? How are they feeling? We'll talk with a conservative radio talk show host who now finds that his red state has turned blue.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MCCAIN: I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together.

OBAMA: To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHETRY: Both John McCain and Barack Obama reaching across party lines in their speeches last night. But as the country made history by electing Barack Obama, conservatives across America saw their candidate defeated. So will it be that easy to bridge the divide?

I'm joined now by Doc Thompson, a conservative radio host of the "Doc Thompson Show" in Richmond, Virginia. It was all riding on your state for a while there, and we saw the outcome.

Now you did not support McCain. Moving forward, though, what -- what are you thinking for conservatives? Where -- where is there room for conservatives in an Obama administration?

DOC THOMPSON, WRVA RADIO HOST, RICHMOND, VA.: Very little, Kiran. In fact today it's going to be talking people off the ledge. It's going to be therapy today. The five stages of grief, we'll get through the anger, we'll get through the denial.

There's got to be a new conservative movement. They're going to have to redefine what they are at this point.

CHETRY: But you're not as disappointed as you would be if you were gung-ho for your candidate and your candidate lost. You rode in Jim DeMint. You weren't going for John McCain either. So what is it that -- is disappointing today?

THOMPSON: Well, it's disappointing because Barack Obama is an awful, awful outcome for conservatives. John McCain was a little bit better. So it's still very disappointing, it's just -- we really had no option. It was the lesser of two evils.

CHETRY: I want to ask you about why you think there was such a large number of people across the country -- I mean, who voted for Barack Obama. Barack Obama got the highest percentage for a Democrat since Lyndon Johnson, I believe. And there was a groundswell of support, it seemed, for Barack Obama. And there was also, it seemed, a rebuke of the Bush administration as you look at the changing of hands in Congress with five seats in the Senate.

THOMPSON: Well...

CHETRY: Go ahead.

THOMPSON: Well, yes, it's frustrating, because unfortunately the Republicans have been running candidates, in particular the president, who is not the most conservative. His values, his principles, the way he governed was not that conservative.

You've got a lot of Republican members of the Congress that have not acted conservatively. They've spent like crazy.

We had this bailout bill. That goes everything against conservatism. So people like me, that are conservative, are going, this is not conservative.

CHETRY: Right.

THOMPSON: So you've got a lot of other Americans that are saying, oh, if that's conservatism, we don't want it.

CHETRY: Doc, before I leave you, I just have to ask you, what do you do to get the youth vote? Because they voted 60-some percent to 30 percent for the Democrat.

THOMPSON: That's probably always going to be a losing proposition, because when you're young you're all about ideas instead of practical matters. Then when you get a family, and you start paying taxes, you say, wait a minute, now I know what it's like to be a conservative.

CHETRY: Doc Thompson, host of "The Doc Thompson Show."

Good luck with your therapy today. As you said, you're talking people off the ledge, at least for your listeners.

THOMPSON: Thanks, Kiran. CHETRY: Thanks a lot.

THOMPSON: Thanks.

CHETRY: Well, with Barack Obama voted to become America's 44th president, this is an election for the history books. Americans gave him a decisive victory in last night's election. And as history was made here in America, there was also swift reaction across the globe.

Many see a President Obama as an absolute game-changer on the international state. And Obama reached out to the world in his speech last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT: And all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular but our destiny is shared. And a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

(APPLAUSE)

To those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security, we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright, tonight we've proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals, democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHETRY: Well, after such a long campaign, a real political comeback for John McCain. He won his party's nomination. Last night though a crushing defeat. McCain though very gracious in his concession speech.

Ed Henry is live for us in Phoenix this morning with more on that.

And you talk about just what a vastly different mood there is when you look at the crowds in Chicago and what was going on in Phoenix last night.

ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: A stark contrast. Good morning, Kiran.

You were just talking about the five stages of grief. It's only 3:30 in the morning here in Phoenix. I can tell you, some of McCain's staffers are still here in the lobby of the Arizona Biltmore. I've been running into them.

Some of them crying. Most of them though saying, look, we're accepting this, we knew it was an uphill battle, you fight as hard as you can. And as you mentioned, John McCain was very gracious in defeat, and they're trying to do the same. They're trying to follow their leader, essentially.

He was very gracious in highlighting the history-making nature of this, spent several minutes there in his comments last night right behind me talking about the first African-American being elected president, what this said about the nation, the message it sent around the world. He also said he had no regrets.

Inevitably, a lot of people raise questions about mistakes made, what the campaign could have done differently. McCain said he had no regrets. And he also urged the crowd that was behind me, saying basically, you need now to help this new president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain.

These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: And obviously one of the questions that many will be asking was the effect of Sarah Palin, did it help, did it hurt. It certainly rallied the conservative base, but there have been some polls suggesting it did not help with Independent voters because she was such a lightning rod.

But I can tell you that the crowd that was here last night when she was mentioned, they were roaring with approval. Some of them shouting, "Sarah! Sarah!" later, after John McCain left the stage. So it's no doubt that Sarah Palin will play a large role in sort of the Republican Party's efforts to kind of remake themselves, deal with the wreckage that comes from not only this, but all of the Republican Senate seats that were lost as well -- Kiran.

CHETRY: All right. Ed Henry for us. We'll get into that more today. We have several more hours to go, so we can talk about a lot of things.

Thanks so much, Ed -- John.

ROBERTS: Well, along with making history, Barack Obama repainted the electoral map last night.

Let's turn now to our panel: John Avlon of the Manhattan Institute; Patricia Murphy of CitizenJanePolitics.com; as well, Frank Sesno is joining us this morning.

Welcome, Frank.

And Michael Ware is back with us.

Frank, since you're the new kid on the block here in terms of our coverage...

FRANK SESNO, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT: I haven't felt that in a while.

ROBERTS: ... this morning, let me throw this at you.

You know, Ed Henry was just talking about Sarah Palin, and we're also thinking about, you know, what were the reasons why John McCain lost last night. Steve Schmidt, his chief strategist, said, you know, we were at bad economic times, that was definitely a drag on the ticket, but he also went on to say, "The party has been very unpopular. The president's approval numbers were not helpful in the race, but the party as a whole is unpopular with the American people, and that was the big albatross."

SESNO: He's right. It shows that the Straight Talk Express, at least remnants of it, are still on the road. There's still a little gas left.

Look, any Republican would have had a monstrous time with the legacy of George W. Bush and a 25 percent approval rating, and unemployment and joblessness going up for eight months in a row. Anybody would have had that.

You know, they had that hardy embrace in the Rose Garden when he got the endorsement and said, by the way, I'll be campaigning with you. They never once were side by side. OK?

ROBERTS: Thank you, Mr. President. Now go back inside.

SESNO: Yes, thank you and goodnight. Goodnight and good luck.

So, yes, that was the albatross. But it got worse. You know, when John McCain says the fundamentals of the economy are strong, when John McCain says, Ladies and Gentlemen, please meet Sarah Palin. These were things that in the end were additional difficulties.

ROBERTS: On the point of Sarah Palin, Steve Schmidt was also asked, "And the pick of Palin for you guys, are you happy with that?" His response, "You know, I'm not going to -- there'll be time for all the postmortems in the race."

What do you make of that?

PATRICIA MURPHY, EDITOR, CITIZENJANEPOLITICS.COM: I think it was so unfair for the McCain campaign to pick Sarah Palin, to pluck her out of Alaska, to put her on the national stage, and then to blame here when it's all said and done. I talked to delegates to the Republican convention who were planning a walkout before Sarah Palin came on the scene. So they are thrilled with her, and they are very lucky that they had her, certainly at the convention. They got a big bounce out of it.

ROBERTS: Well, they didn't quite throw her under the Straight Talk Express in that exchange, but it certainly wasn't a ringing endorsement. JOHN AVLON, MANHATTAN INSTITUTE: They're just like this. I mean, the reality is, yes, she fired up the base, but at the expense of uniting the center. She has proven to be one of the most deeply polarizing figures in American politics, and that's the worst thing John McCain could have had by his side.

What we're seeing right now in American politics is a desire to move past polarization, beyond left/right, black/white, red state/blue state. That's why young voters, 40 percent of whom are Independent, are rising up in such amazing numbers for Barack Obama. And tonight, you know, take me to the street and celebrate. I mean, just going bananas, having a great time.

SESNO: Can I just say one thing? This is not Dan Quayle. This is not incompetence.

She is who she is. And she was very forceful and very...

(CROSSTALK)

SESNO: But John, you know you don't take somebody who's never, literally never, been in the national media spotlight and expect they're going to step on that stage and not be pulled apart.

ROBERTS: So, Michael Ware, what are all the folks in the land of Oz making all of this?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're going to bed happy, I think, at the moment. Certainly, I spoke to some people in Iraq, for example. They can't believe it.

For many Iraqis, they wanted Obama. But they just figured the whole system's rigged. And they really didn't believe that McCain would be defeated.

So, I actually made some calls back home to Australia, and they said, "Obama what?" But generally I think the perception, like around a lot of the world, will be more than warm to an Obama presidency.

MURPHY: One bright spot for the Republicans here, the Democrats wanted that 60-vote majority, and they didn't get it. And they didn't get those seats that they wanted in Mississippi. They didn't pick off Mitch McConnell. Michele Bachmann made it through.

So they had some seats that the Republicans were able to defend. So it's not a complete -- it's a Category 4 and not a Category 5.

AVLON: But two things. It's on the verge of a realigning election.

Obama has built on Howard Dean's 50-state strategy, is playing in red states. And the second, to Michael's point, this is an election that the rest of the world wakes up and says, you know what? When Americans say they're a country that's different, only in America, that's true today around the world, indisputably.

SESNO: The red light that should be blinking rapidly in Barack Obama's office and in his head is the expectations red light.

ROBERTS: Yes, absolutely.

SESNO: For all of this, OK, the land of Oz is all excited about it, they can't believe this was going to happen, there were -- I was talking to my kids at their colleges last night. They were all in the streets celebrating.

I've never heard of this before. Ever. So he's a human being in a political real world.

MURPHY: It's Obama versus expectations. But the Republicans said today they're waiting for the overreach for the Democrats. They're just like, bring it on, we're ready to come in 2010.

ROBERTS: Maybe let's make that our next topic.

MURPHY: OK.

ROBERTS: We'll see you back here real soon, folks.

A lot of celebration across the streets -- the streets across America, particularly right here in New York City, in Harlem. We'll take you there to show you the celebration, coming up next on the most news in the morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible? Who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time? Who still questions the power of our democracy?

Tonight is your answer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN LEWIS (D), GEORGIA: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used to say, "We've come a long way, but we still have a distance to go." But tonight we can celebrate and thank God almighty.

I want to thank Martin Luther King, Jr. He must be looking down from heaven saying, "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHETRY: In Harlem, celebrations over Barack Obama's big win. The cultural center of black America reveling in Barack Obama's historic victory.

Our Jason Carroll is live in Harlem for us this morning.

Are they still partying, or did everyone go to bed besides you?

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No, the partying is over. But I'm sure there are a lot of lasting impressions of what went on out here.

Just a few hours ago -- I wish you could have been out here, Kiran -- it was really incredible. There were hundreds of people in the quad area out here that had come here to see everything that was going on. They had a big screen out here so everyone could listen to the results coming in. And once the announcement was made, that was really the moment that -- it's something I'm going to remember for a long time to come.

I mean, there was some tears for some people. But what I realized notice was everyone who got on their phones and started calling other people, it was like everyone who was here wanted to share this moment with other people as well.

And there was something that was said to me over and over again as I was talking to people. They kept saying this was not something they believed they would see in their lifetime.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am floored. I am undone. I am proud. I am amazed.

CARROLL: Now, I did see that you've got the picture of your grandmother here. And what do you think your grandmother would say about this moment?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My grandmother would be so overwhelmed and so full of joy. And she would have said never in her lifetime would she have ever have expected to see such a great moment as this. And I'm just so proud that in my lifetime I can see it and have my son with me, and he's able to see it. And I'm just overjoyed.

CARROLL: But was this a day that you ever thought you would see in your life?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I didn't. I wish my parents were here, they experienced this with me. It's a bittersweet moment, because all of those who paved the way for me are not here with me right now to celebrate.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: Once again, the partying is over, but definitely not the celebration. As one woman was leaving, she told me that she's going to take with her a memory that she's going to hold on to, something that she hopes she'll be able to share with her children some day and her grandchildren some day, the moment when America transcended race, broke history, and elected their first African- American president -- Kiran.

CHETRY: It's one of those moments in time everyone will remember where they were when they first heard that news at 11:00 p.m. last night.

Jason Carroll, thanks.

Well, waves of excitement over America's historical presidential pick being felt all over the world. In fact, even in Kenya, where Barack Obama's father was born. How they celebrated Obama's win across the globe.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTS: Well, welcome back to the most politics in the morning.

Around the world they are celebrating Barack Obama's victory. In Kenya, President Odinga declaring a national holiday, saying, "The victory of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya." Barack Obama's father was born in Kenya.

For a closer look at worldwide reaction to America's historic election, we're joined by Zain Verjee, our State Department correspondent, this morning.

I got a call early this morning from Beirut, from a friend saying, "You wouldn't believe. People are out in the streets, they're celebrating here. They're looking forward to a new day for America," at least in terms of relations worldwide.

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT: It's amazing. I mean, the slate really has been wiped clean in terms of the way the rest of the world is looking at America. But there has been an avalanche of world reaction.

In Kenya, you've got chants of things like "Obama Ju (ph)!" "Obama's up!" "Obama's number one!"

There are celebrations in Kugala (ph), Kenya, where Obama's grandmother was out cheering and doing this particular traditional dance. She's going to hold a feast and slaughter a cow and invite people to come in and celebrate as well.

In Asia, John, celebrations starting as well. Take a look at this. This is the town of Obama, Japan, where people are singing and dancing. Very, very happy and excited.

On the other side of the world, in Sydney, take a look at how people erupted in cheers. That was the moment when he was declared the winner.

There's really just so much excitement and amazement and expectation around the world from President-Elect Obama. And they're just so excited at what happened tonight.

ROBERTS: As we heard from our panel just a little while ago, perhaps expectations are so high that it's going to be difficult for him to meet them.

We heard what President -- your former leader, President Odinga, said about his victory. What are other world leaders saying about it?

VERJEE: Well, it's very interesting. I mean, there's really an outpouring of comments and statements and congratulations. But Russia's one country that's just moved beyond congratulations and straight to the criticism -- blasting the U.S. for the war in Georgia and for the world financial crisis. It's also planning to deploy missiles, it says, to counter a U.S. missile defense shield plan.

But you know, John, there are so many positive statements coming in from world leaders.

China's president is saying that he wants to take the constructive cooperation to a new level with the U.S. French President Nicolas Sarkozy says in a "Dear Barack" letter that he hopes for "... an open America, characterized by solidarity and strength, that will once again lead the way with its partners..."

Take a look at what the Israeli government is saying. It says that it sees "a bright future" for U.S./Israel relations under an Obama administration.

Afghanistan's president saying that, "My first demand from the U.S. president, when he takes office, would be to end civilian casualties in Afghanistan and take the war to places where there are terrorist nests and training centers."

But foes as well, John, are weighing in. Take a look at what Iran's official news agency is saying. Essentially, that the U.S. election was "... a repudiation of a historically unpopular Republican president and his economic and foreign policies, and an embrace of Obama's call for a change in the direction and the tone of the country..."

So we're really going to take a look and see the sort of nuances and openings that world leaders may make in statements like that.

ROBERTS: And let's not forget, too, that during that debate so long ago he pledged that he would within the first year sit down without precondition with some of the leaders who are ringing in here. So...

VERJEE: Exactly. And a lot of those kinds of world leaders are going to test him as well.

ROBERTS: Yes.

VERJEE: Russia seems to be the first one.

ROBERTS: He may find the honeymoon doesn't last very long. Zain, good to see you this morning. Thanks so much for that.

We want you to be a part of our special coverage this morning. Our "Quick Vote" question that we're asking you this hour, "Did the media influence the outcome of the election?" Well, 65 percent of you said yes, they did. Thirty-five percent said no.

Let your voice be heard, literally. Call our toll-free number at 866-979-VOTE . That's 866-979-9863. Or text your answer "yes" or "no" to 94553.

It was a night that made grown men cry all across America. On this emotional evening, why Barack Obama's historic win was felt so deeply, and so deeply personal to so many Americans.

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CHETRY: Welcome back.

Well, the race in North Carolina a true nail-biter still this morning. Democrats did pick up a key Senate seat as Kay Hagan defeated incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole, the wife of former presidential candidate Bob Dole. But the state's 15 electoral votes are still in limbo, with the race between Senator Obama -- or now President-Elect Obama -- and Senator McCain still close to call.

And joining me now this morning, Pam Stone, radio host of "The Pam Stone Show." It's a weekly call-in program on WLNK in Charlotte, North Carolina. She voted for Barack Obama.

And when we last left you, you were eating up Krispy Kremes as fast as you could find them. And I see today you have your dog with you as well.

PAM STONE, HOST, "THE PAM STONE SHOW": I certainly do. Actually, this dog is Alice, and she's applying for the position of first dog since Malia and Sasha have been promised a puppy. So, fist bump.

CHETRY: Very cute.

STONE: And a big supporter...

CHETRY: I don't know Jack Russells were on the list though.

STONE: Well, she supported Bark Obama, so she's feeling a little left out if that doesn't happen.

CHETRY: You know, it's so interesting, Pam, because we've been talking to you throughout this. And, in fact, Barack Obama, well, he didn't need your state to win. But, I mean, of course it was a key battleground that they had talked about a lot that John McCain really needed to keep that state.

What is the mood? What went on as we still are tallying the votes in North Carolina? STONE: Well, again, I just think -- first of all, it's so exciting that North Carolina was even in play at all. But several things happened in North Carolina.

I think you have people moving in to the state. It's not as red as it used to be. You have people moving in from different states.

And, again, the youth vote, the African-American vote, the minority Hispanic vote which not a lot of people are talking about. And from what I got from my listeners, I had conservatives -- you know, Kiran, I had one woman who called my show, and she said, "You know, my husband and I, we've been married 26 years. We have always voted Republican. This is the first time we are voting Democrat."

And she said, "It's like falling in love all over again." We're discovering this new -- you know, we're discovering each other for the first time, this brand new philosophy.

So, Obama had the "it" factor, the charismatic factor. He had the economic advisers he surrounded himself with, the foreign policy. It just grabbed everybody.

CHETRY: So, it is also very interesting, because when we take a look at the exit poll for your state, it shows that the most important issue for North Carolina voters was the economy, and that's something that I know you know because you've talked about it with your listeners. They've called in.

STONE: Yes.

CHETRY: But when it came to people who voted as the economy as their number one issue, 54 percent went for Obama, 46 percent went for McCain.

STONE: Yes.

CHETRY: Now that we look forward and we know who our president- elect is going to be, he is certainly inheriting more challenges than we've seen in a generation when it comes to the economy.

What does he need to do within -- what do your listeners want?

STONE: Well, what Barack Obama needs to do is exactly what he's been doing, and that's listen to the economic advisers that he's surrounded himself with, you know? You've got Warren Buffett, you've got Rubin, you've got people that know what they're doing.

And I think one of the main reasons conservatives lost so much confidence in McCain was that he himself went on the record four or five times and said he didn't know much about the economy. I think had he chosen Mitt Romney instead of Sarah Palin, who went down in disapproval -- her disapproval ratings got stronger and stronger as the race went on, I think we may have seen a different picture. But I think the American public lost complete confidence that McCain would have the competence to be able to pull the economy together.

CHETRY: All right. Well, we're going to have to leave there. I love how your dog is listening to you as you talk. How cute.

Pam Stone, host of "The Pam Stone Show," thanks for joining us this morning. Still a nail-biter as we said in your state.

Bye.

STONE: Yes.