A night of highs, lows

Even with the expected Republican victories locally, the mood was still more celebratory at the Democratic gathering on election night.

As is customary, both parties gathered at downtown hotels to watch the returns and hopefully celebrate political victories.

Hundreds of Democrats gathered at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, to watch television and Internet broadcasts of the poll results. For them, the news about Barack Obama's victory sent a buzz through the crowd, especially early in the evening when major swing states were called for him.

Only a few blocks away, the Republicans gathered at the Grand America Hotel. While the news nationally wasn't as great for them, the local results did help salve their wounds.

Still, the excitement was at the Radisson, where the diverse crowd of Democrats let loose ear-splitting cheers as races are called for their candidates. The hollering was interspersed with boos when states such as Utah are called for the Republican ticket.

But when the presidential race was called for Obama at about 9 p.m., raucous cheering lasted a full five minutes, followed by a chant of "Obama, Obama" and another of "Yes we can."

"When we started this campaign about two years ago, everybody thought we were crazy," said the Utah director of the Obama campaign Suzanne Gelderman in a speech to the crowd. "But tonight we proved the cynics wrong."

From here, real change in health care and energy policy can be made, she said.

"If a black man with a funny name can be elected president of the United States I have no doubt that you can change politics in Utah," Gelderman said, closing her speech. "Thank you for how you helped elect BarackBarak Obama the next president of the United States."

Meanwhile, families and friends mingled, eating and drinking in several ballrooms. Pyramids of political posters lined the halls and buttons praising the Obama-Biden ticket grace lapels throughout the crowd.

"It's something really big," said Vanessa Hildebrand, who attended the party. "Tonight is something for big change."

"We're so excited. I think this is the most involved I've ever been," Kimi Barnett said as she toasted a cardboard cutout of Obama with a glass of wine. "I'm starting to feel really invested, starting to feel effects of bad policy in my daily life."

For Republicans, the gathering at the Salt Lake City Grand America hotel touched a bittersweet note as John McCain conceded the race for the White House.

Many sat or stood with folded arms as they watched hope for a Republican president evaporate. Still, after he completed his concession speech, the crowd erupted when Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. took the stage.