Obama, McCain ready to make history

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-05-2008 09:20

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama began the day with a solid lead in national polls as Americans cast their votes on election day.

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his wife Michelle prepare to cast their ballots in the U.S. presidential election at the Beulah Shoesmith Elementary School in Chicago, November 4, 2008. (Jason Reed/Reuters)

But his Republican rival John McCain says he's confident he can still score an upset at the end of a marathon struggle for the White House.

Obama joined the nation's earliest voters, casting his ballot in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday morning. Obama is heavily favored to carry the state, along with its 21 electoral votes, in his bid for the presidency.

Meanwhile, McCain cast his ballot at a church near his central Phoenix home. Arizona is historically Republican, carrying 10 electoral votes.

In Delaware, Obama's running mate Joe Biden cast his vote at a private school near his home. The Democrat-leaning state carries 3 electoral votes.

McCain's running mate Sarah Palin cast her ballot in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. Palin says she hopes, prays and believes she will be able to take her experience as a reformer to Washington as vice president.

Alaska is historically Republican, carrying 3 electoral votes.

Elsewhere, long lines greeted US voters on Tuesday as polls across the country were deluged by people wanting to cast ballots in this historic race.

In Harlem, New York some residents said they felt a sense of history being made. The area has a long history as an African-American neighborhood in Manhattan.

Obama is expected to win traditionally-Democratic New York, along with its 31 electoral college votes. The winner must receive 270 electoral college votes.