By Sujata Dand, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-786085.mp3
Dallas – A majority of Texans voting for a new president cast ballots for John McCain, but most in Dallas County chose Barack Obama. KERA's Sujata Dand reports on the celebration that erupted at one Obama watch party when their candidate was declared the winner.
When Barack Obama won, tears streamed down Anita Hosoda's face as she hugged friends and strangers.
Anita Hosoda: I'm so excited. I'm speechless. I knew it, I knew it.
Hosoda's 7-year-old son, holding an Obama banner and an American flag, says he also wants to be president.
Taka Hosoda: It was really surprising when he won. Everyone started screaming.
Ron Kirk, former Dallas Mayor: Tonight it's party time.
Kirk knows how to pump up a crowd. As a key advisor to Obama, he is reportedly being considered for a cabinet position.
Ron Kirk: I think the most important thing is that it is a fairly emphatic statement by a broad swatch of Americans that we really want to see a change, not only in the tone of campaigns but the way we do business in Washington. I think you've had the American people say, "Enough. Let's sit down, work together, forget what color we are and work to solve these big problems."
Tonight's victory is very personal for Kirk. His 85-year-old mother wasn't allowed to vote in her first election. But today, his 19-year-old daughter cast her first vote for the first African American president in U.S. history.