Obama supporters whoop it up on historic night

CLEVELAND (AP) — Keshia Johnson was stirring the big pot of “Obama baked-bean chili” simmering on her kitchen stove when a roar came up from the living room.

“They called it,” screamed Lynne Bey, one of Johnson’s friends keeping a close eye on the election returns scrolling across the TV screen. “I told y’all he would win my home state, Pennsylvania. I told my momma this morning he would win.”

He, of course, was Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. And on an unusually, warm November night, a group of Clevelanders — many of them originally from somewhere else — got together hoping to see the Illinois senator make history.

Johnson, who grew up in Dallas, sent out dozens of e-mail invitations to friends for the election night party in her tidy, two-story home on the city’s east side. Her front lawn was dotted with seven Obama-Biden signs, and just in case there was any doubt about her preferred candidate, Johnson wore a black T-shirt with “Obama ’08” in silver glitter on the front.

She was doing her best to keep up with hostess duties while keeping abreast of the early election returns, which were tilting toward Obama.

Obama also won Ohio’s 20 electoral votes.

For Johnson and other blacks, Obama represented the future and their past.

“This is such an historic night,” said Johnson, who has been hosting an Obama volunteer in her home. “It’s very moving and I’m very proud. I remember my mom telling me stories about sitting at lunch counters, and that really wasn’t that long ago.”

Like many Americans, Johnson, who works for the city’s water department, took advantage of a chance to vote early. She cast her ballot on Oct. 13.

She first became aware of Obama when he spoke at the Democratic Convention in 2004.

“And as soon as I heard he was running for president, I was behind him,” she said.

Eugene Webb has been an Obama backer even longer.

The 43-year-old met Obama more than 10 years ago in Hyde Park, Ill., where he began his political career as a community organizer helping unemployed steel workers. Clutching a Chicago Bears baseball cap in his hands, Webb was confident the election would easily swing Obama’s way.

And at 9:15 p.m., Johnson, Webb and the others erupted in applause when Ohio, a key battleground state, was projected to Obama by Fox News.

“By Fox no less,” said Bey, referring to the cable channel most popular with self-described conservatives. “Now come on Indiana, it’s time to go blue.”

While others wondered if they’d ever see the day that a black man would win the White House, Webb was without doubt.

“I thought the only thing that would slow him down was his name,” Webb said. “Not anymore.”