Election night emotional in Washington

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Election night in Washington had spontaneous street rallies and deep emotions sparked by U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's win, observers said.

Older black residents shed tears as they cast their ballots, overcome by the reality that an African-American was at the threshold of the presidency within their lifetimes, the Washington Post reported, with some bringing photos of long-dead relatives with them to the voting booths.

Several thousand people gathered in a steady drizzle inside the barricaded segment of Pennsylvania Avenue between 15th and 17th streets in front of the White House, dancing and chanting, "O-ba-ma!" and "Whose house? Obama's house!" the newspaper said, while strangers hugged at 14th and U streets N.W. as hundreds of Obama supporters chanted, "Yes, we can!"

Supporters of Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona, meanwhile, gathered in a half-filled room at Westwood Country Club in Vienna, Va., expressing stoicism and some bitterness as the election returns came in.

"What language do they speak in Kenya? Maybe I should get a book," said Ed Sellman of Falls Church, Va. "I'd sure like to see his birth certificate."