How Obama saw off spirited McCain challenge

State by state, vote by vote, history was made today.

It was a night when Democrat Barack Obama took an early lead and kept it.

But it was one where his opponent Republican John McCain stayed in touch and was only ever just a few key, undecided states behind.

As the first polls closed at midnight Irish time, both Mr McCain and Mr Obama remained confident it would be them on the way to the White House.

Among the first polls to close were the key states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, which would in time go a long way to deciding the 2008 election.

But none of the television networks dare suggest a winner as these states closed – “too close to call” said the pundits.

The nail-biting continued.

But by 1am, Mr Obama dealt the first serious blow to his rival taking Pennsylvania. From there it was always going to be a tough fight for 72-year-old Mr McCain.

Mr Obama added Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey and Mr McCain could reply with only Oklahoma and Tennessee.

America was well on its way to electing its first ever black commander-in-chief.

By 1.30am, the Democrats added New Hampshire – another key state – and the political commentators began talking with conviction about President Obama.

Just after 2am, Ohio went Mr Obama’s way. No Republican has ever captured the White House without first winning Ohio.

By 3am, Mr Obama won Iowa, where his landmark run for the presidency began in January with a surprisingly strong victory in the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Mr McCain took the traditionally Republican states of Utah and Kansas, leaving the electoral race at 207-89 in favour of Mr Obama.

With just two minutes to go before the polls closed in California, Virginia declared for Mr Obama taking his electoral votes to 220.

The vast crowds packing in to Grant Park, Chicago, erupted. They knew Virginia added to the safe 55 votes from California meant their man was to become the 44th President of the United States.