Obama wins Presidency In an election of historical proportions, Democrat Barack Obama was elected president of the United States, capturing 349 of the country's electoral votes, to Republican candidate John McCain's 173. Obama will be the nation's first black president.

However, the John McCain/Sarah Palin team had overwhelming support in Park County — and throughout Wyoming, which is widely viewed as a Republican bastion. Many mainstream media outlets called the race in Wyoming long before polls closed, based on the strong Republican support in the state.

Statewide, McCain and running mate, Sarah Palin, received nearly 165,000 votes. Democratic candidate Barack Obama, running with Joe Biden, captured about 83,000 votes statewide. Libertarian candidate Bob Barr and Independent candidates Chuck Baldwin and Ralph Nader earned a combined 5,000 votes in the state.

Closer to home, Park County voters supported the Republican ticket with more than 72 percent of the vote, or 10,838 votes. The Democratic ticket captured just 25 percent, or about 3,800 votes, while the Libertarian and independent candidates each received less than 1 percent of the Park County vote.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RESULTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?

“I'm extremely happy that Barack Obama was elected. He's for education. I think this country needs a change of direction, and I think he's the man to do it. Especially, after eight years of what we've had. And I've voted since Johnson!”

Fred Renaud

“I think it's a mandate by the American people. I think America has finally seen it's time for ideas, not physical attributes or heritage, to lead the country.”

Levi Paisley, college student

“If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.”

Wendy Johnson, middle school student

“It just seemed like it was pretty predictable. It seemed like McCain has a lot of the same ideas as George Bush. I think the rest of the world — and especially our country — is ready for something different. Not that McCain's a bad guy, we just needed a change.”

Jesse Snyder

“I think they were both evil. He (Barack Obama) was the bigger of two evils, but maybe he'll prove me wrong.”

Amanda Grabow, college student

“I think it's the best thing for Wyoming. There was a man at school who said, ‘It's a sorry day for America because he won.' I disagree. He's young and ambitious, and it seems like he's going to do great for us.”

Wanda Butterfield

“I think either one of them had the potential to be great leaders. It will be interesting. I'm kind of excited.”

Rico Garcia, high school student

“I think it's pretty cool. He'll be the first black president. I'm too young to vote, but I think I would have voted for McCain. But I'm still happy about Obama.”

Kelli Lewis, high school student

“I think it's awesome. I think it's so cool that race wasn't an issue.”

Leah Bruscino

“I kind of like his ideas. I think he's going to do a good job. I did (vote for him).”

Laurie Denney

“I think this country is in for a rough ride, a very rough ride. (The new president) is now the problem ... (Washington, D.C., is full of) pettiness and pork barrel projects ... Oil companies control everything.”

Art Lovell

“(Obama is) the best thing that has happened since 1960. Anything is better than President Bush, but instead of ‘anything' we got one of the very few people that can actually turn the U.S. into a country than can work with the rest of the world instead of attacking them. He's going to be wonderful.”

Kathy Bieke

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