The excitement was palpable as South Whidbey supporters for Barack Obama gathered at Bayview in the early evening on election night.

Historically, Island County has voted for Republicans, though that all changed this year after Obama’s strong showing throughout the county during the February caucuses and the presidential primary and as shown in early voter polls.

Apparently the polls didn’t lie.

At a little past 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Obama won Florida and the 100 or so people gathered at the Cash Store sent up a cheer and started dancing.

Earlier, South Whidbey resident Barbara Phillips was watching the Pennsylvania returns closely. It was her home state, and where her 84-year-old father still resides.

“My dad is an avid Hillary Clinton fan and though he would never say so publicly as he is a well-mannered gentleman, he would never vote for a black man,” she said.

But her father turned around about two weeks ago and decided to vote for Obama, even though, as his daughter said, his racism ran deep.

Perhaps it was Obama’s charisma that convinced him.

Phillips believes it’s a powerful thing and she said she’s seen it in others.

“I saw Dave Reichert speak and I have to say, he pulls you in,” she said.

“Even though I hate everything he stands for, I was completely charmed by him. But, Obama has even more than that,” she added. “He’s so hopeful, so fresh. It’s like watching the sun come up.”

Excitement grew in the crowd as the evening went on and more states turned blue on the big screen hanging from the ceiling of the Cash Store. Arms raised skyward in jubilation and many hugged anyone within arm’s reach.

Finally, Obama took the stage in Chicago.

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” Obama began.

Another cheer arose from the Bayview crowd.

Penny Harger, who volunteered at the caucuses in February and who has worked steadily on the Obama campaign, was ecstatic. She hovered on the verge of tears.

“I feel tears of joy and of relief,” she said.

“And hope for the future. The oldest democracy in the world is proving that it still can be a democracy,” Harger said.

Obama’s voice boomed through the Cash Store, as if he was echoing exactly what Harger said.

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America,” Obama said.

Nathan Simpson, a South Whidbey resident who turned 18 on Election Day, was celebrating the biggest gift of his young life.

“I voted for Obama,” Simpson said. “I’m just so happy; this is all the birthday party I ever wanted. This is easily the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

Dozens of eyes turned upward to the big screen as Obama gave his victory speech. He eloquently thanked his staff, his wife and family and, finally, the voters.

He spoke of how his campaign was built and what that effort means for America.

“It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause,” Obama said.

“It grew in strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.”

In summation, Obama told the story of the 106-year-old Atlanta voter Ann Nixon Cooper.

“She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin,” Obama said.

“And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can,” he said.

The crowd cheered again.

Obama continued and the ecstatic audience hung on his every word.

“America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

“This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes we can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.”