As Barack Obama spoke to the world, Minnesotans gathered in this hotel in St. Paul seemed to feel like they were in the crowd with Obama. I've never seen people at a state election celebration care so much about a national election. The emotions are running strong.
Before Obama began his acceptance speech, people were already clearing out at Republican Party headquarters with the biggest races in the state still unknown (two congressional races and the Senate race). Sources have told me Sen. Coleman was ready to wait until Wednesday to speak if the race was at all close.
As Obama became the winner, the crowd at DFL headquarters went wild. People were screaming, crying, hugging, slapping hands. The crowd is diverse, but all felt the same thing: complete elation. The songs ringing out include "Celebrate" "Only in America" "Glory Days" "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" A former party chair told me he hasn't seen Democrats this excited in at least a decade--and maybe never before at this level. It is history.
At Republican Party election headquarters, Gov. Tim Pawlenty stood with his wife Mary and told the crowd "Don't believe for a minute our beliefs have been damaged." Pawlenty of course was McCain's national campaign chair and a serious contender for vice president.
