Obama won in all the States that voted for the Democrats in 2004, but he also obtained the majority of votes in traditional Republican states such as Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Indiana, and Colorado. All of these states had re-elected George W. Bush four years ago. Two of them, Virginia and Indiana, had never voted for a Democratic president since 1964.

Obama was voted by people of different social and economic backgrounds, races and religions. But, more than anything else, the Afro-American president owes a debt to the Democrats' growing Hispanic base: two-thirds of the Latino voters supported him, together with almost every black voter. On the other hand, according to the exit polls, 55% of white citinzens preferred McCain.


 


Youth vote may have been crucial in Obama's victory as well. Young American fellows have indeed preferred Obama over John McCain by 68% to 30%. The 47-year-old candidate attracted also 56% of women voters.


 


In his acceptance speech before some 150,000 supporters in Chicago's Grant Park he promised change, telling to the sea of supporters standing there: "There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face."