Obama's Home City Enjoys His Victory

By Gary Mitchell, in Chicago

In a small bar in the north of Barack Obama's adopted home city of Chicago, roar after roar was deafening.

His rival's fate seemed certain as a series of key states were called in the president's favour.

When a TV anchor finally confirmed that Mr Obama was projected to stay in the White House, the regulars at St Andrew's Inn punched the air, screamed with delight and clapped for a good 30 seconds. At least two were seen with tears in their eyes.

It was scene that must have been repeated in countless bars, homes and other places around the city and the country.

Everyone knew it was incomparable to the elation that greeted the election of the first black president in 2008, but that did not matter.

Mr Obama's supporters felt a sense of joy at the victory, as well as relief that a gruelling fight that had dragged on for many months, and in many states, was finally at an end.

Bar owner Julius Lamar had the champagne flowing

A clearly emotional St Andrew's bar owner Julius Lamar, who cracked open a case of champagne and handed out glasses on the house, said he wanted to be alone so he could cry.

"I was crying four years ago, but for a different reason," he said.

"Then, it was because we had the first African-American president. Now, it's not just because I'm black and he's black - it's because I know I've still got a guy in the White House who is looking out for people like me.

Liz Andrew: 'alienated' by Romney

"If it had been Romney, I wouldn't have had a guy in power speaking on my behalf. He was just about making rich people feel better."

Darrell and Tiffany Dixon, 28 and 30, are expecting their first child together. Mr Dixon said: "I feel better about bringing a child into the world with Obama in power."

Mr Dixon is traditionally a Republican, but chose to vote for Mr Obama in this election because he felt Mitt Romney was a "shady character" and he trusted Mr Obama with the economy. He bought a round of shots to celebrate.

He said: "It's no holds barred now - Obama isn't going to be fighting for election in his second term so he can achieve a lot more."

Mrs Dixon is a seasoned Democrat - describing herself as Darrell's "tree-hugging wife" - and said Mr Obama's victory gave her hope.

"The economy is going to be turned around, in time, under Obama - people are going to get jobs again.

"I feel a lot better. I feel relieved."

Drake Burrell: 'amazing' victory

Ray and Jacque Ames, 65 and 59, entered the pub moments after the election was called for Mr Obama.

"We were watching at home and we just felt like it was time to be with other people," Ray said as he took a seat at the bar.

Regina Wiethrop, 37, said: "This means more change for the better can happen in the next four years."

Kareem Dixon, 33, said: "I feel incredibly relieved and I feel a sense of hope that Americans were able to choose the right person."

Drake Burrell, 30, said: "I feel amazing. Romney would have pulled us back years.

"He's going to stop more people going through what I did as a young boy, growing up in poverty."

Greg Kokes, Regina Wiethop and Kareem Dixon

Mitt Romney is thought to have suffered badly among women voters because of his views on abortion rights among other issues. Among those he alienated was Liz Andrew, 27, who said: "I grew up in a house full of women. Romney cannot relate to us."

Bob Oehehmen, 56, who wore an Obama-Biden T-shirt and an anti-Republican badge, said he was "satisfied". "It's the right result."

But Angel Garcia, president of Chicago Young Republicans, was swallowing defeat along with hundreds of fellow Romney supporters at another venue in the city.

Taking a phone call from Sky News from St Andrew's Inn, he said: "We're disappointed now, of course. It's not what we wanted.

"We felt a lot of energy during the campaign, but we knew it would be close. But we take comfort in that we had a strong vote, we can still proudly say we are a serious party with serious support."

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