US News

The night that swinging Dems joyfully sang the blues

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After each swing state turned blue, the cheers inside the president’s headquarters in Chicago grew louder — while Mitt Romney supporters in Boston did their best to put on a brave face and hold out hope.

The thousands packed into Chicago’s McCormick Place waved flags as they watched the president march toward another term in office.

“This is fantastic,’’ said Obama volunteer Donald Davenport. “He’s making our United States go in the right direction.’’

Pandemonium ensued when a big screen with five TV feeds declared Obama the winner in Ohio, putting him over 270 Electoral College votes and keeping him in the White House.

The president spoke to the adoring audience at 1:30 a.m. as he, wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia strolled out with Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” playing.

“Tonight in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come,” he said.

But 1,000 miles away in the Boston Convention Center, Romney supporters were crushed.

When it sank in that it was all over, the crowd fell silent and people began filing out of the ballroom.

The Republican nominee addressed what remained of the crowd and conceded defeat. “I believe in America. I believe in the people of America,” he told the crowd.

“I ran for office because I’m concerned about America. This election is over but our principles endure . . .

“I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction.

“But the nation chose another leader. So Ann and I join you to earnestly pray for this great nation,” he said.

Supporters were overcome with anger and grief over the defeat.

A man, dressed in a suit, paced up and down, cursed to himself and kicked a concrete pylon in frustration.

Another backer, Steve Webster, 61, said of watching states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Iowa go for Obama, “It was like a slow, painful death.

“It was a little surprising, it was very a somber mood,” the Texas oil exec said.

In New York, Obama supporters celebrated in the streets of Harlem and Times Square.

On 125th Street, where crowds chanted, “Obama! Obama!’’ Katrina Ayers, 27, said, “I’ve very excited, super-excited. I don’t believe Romney was the person to run our country.”

Earl Matthews, 42, a counselor, said, “I feel damn good. Let him finish what he started. I think things change, but it takes time.’’

Dior James, 23, a bakery worker, said, “I’m extremely excited. I knew he was going to win. Obama is for the people. Romney is more corporate.’’

Hundreds of the president’s supporters staged an impromptu party in Times Square.

Natasha Ferreira, 28, a waitress from Washington Heights, said she was particularly happy because “he’s done great with Medicare and low-income families.’’

Mike Brouwer, 28, of Queens, a musician, said “we’ll sleep well tonight knowing he’s president.”

Additional reporting by Kaylee Osowski and Kenneth Garger