When Obama came out to speak, it was insane. People stood the whole time, cheered and chanted.

“Change will not be easy, it will take time and there will be setbacks and mistakes,” Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said. In the presidential candidate’s South Carolina victory speech, he spoke of change and overcoming a racial divide.

“Some said Iowa was a fluke, but told different story by the people of South Carolina,” Obama said. “In nine days we have the chance to say we are tired of business as usual.” Obama also discussed his plans concerning healthcare and mortgage.

Jared Countess, 23, a student at the University of Maryland and resident of Baltimore, said he followed Obama on the campaign trail because he believes Obama is the only person who means what comes out of his mouth. He had been down here since Tuesday and now “wanted to show his love.”

Pam Jessell, 20, a student at the University of Virginia, said she is impressed with Obama’s ability to bring people together.

“I love that he’s a uniter,” Jessell said.

She said it was hard to get pumped about candidates.

“You can like them, but its hard to get excited about them. People get excited about Obama,” Jessell said.

Jennifer Warburg, 19, also a student at the University of Virginia, said Obama is like a fairytale.

Man Blake, 64, a retired Texas A&M teacher, said “he’s flat out the future.”

Supporters cheered and applauded as Edwards gave a speech after Barack Obama won the South Carolina Democratic primary.

“Our campaign, from the very beginning, has been about one central thing, and that is to give a voice to millions of Americans without avoice in this democracy,” Edwards said.

Throughout his speech, Edwards said, “your voice will be heard throughout this campaign” and gave several examples.

“If you’re worried about being able to pay for your child to go to college or paying for books, your voice will be heard in this campaign,”Edwards said.

Leon Howard, the represenative from the South Carolina black caucas, said at the end of the day, everyone can rely on John Edwards.

“Edwards has not forgotten about rural South Carolina,” Howard said. “We’re proud that Edwards pushed the issue of poverty to theforefront.”

Jim Clyburn, a South Carolina representative, said this race is far from over.” I can assure you our next president will be John Edwards,” Clyburn said.

Hildie Lindsey, a Columbia resident, said she has been an Edwards supporter for a couple years and she’s worked on his campaign.

“I came tonight because I wanted to see him,” Lindsey said. “We’ve been working on his campaign pretty hard so I wanted to party withhis other supporters. I think he’s going to go all the way in the primaries.”

Sway Calloway from MTV News is there also.

–Halley Nani

77 percent of precincts reporting.

Obama: 212,091 votes, 54 percent

Clinton: 106,527, 27 percent

Edwards: 73,092, 19 percent

Kucinich: 425 votes

We’re just waiting for Obama to speak.

You would have thought Clinton won tonight.

The atmosphere here is completely different than when it started. It’s more lively. It seems everyone here has some sort of alcoholic beverage in their hand and many are getting nervous around me.

Clinton’s campaign staff refused to comment.

The staff began screaming and throwing themselves in front of the cameras with campaign signs, and now people have started dancing.

Lee Johnson, 45, of Silver Springs, MD said the results weren’t a great loss.

“I’m surprised that they called it that early, but I don’t feel it mattered,” Johnson said.
Ben Belton, 31, of Washington D.C., wasn’t discouraged by the loss either.

“It would have been wonderful if we had won, but we didn’t,” Belton said. “I’m focused on Feb. 5. We’re moving ahead past this loss.”

-Sean Gruber

52 percent of precincts reporting.Obama: 141,006 votes, 54 percent

Clinton: 69,873, 27 percent

Edwards: 48,007, 19 percent

Kucinich: 292 votes

We’re waiting to hear from Obama at the Convention Center. Looks like it’ll be an early night for us.

Cal Crepagnier, a student from the University of Virginia, said Clinton was the best candidate for her 35 years of experience and stance on the economy. He said he thought Obama was very naive with foreign policy.

Crepagnier also said Edwards is disconnected from the average voter.

“He should just drop out,” Crepagnier said.

After finding out the democratic primary was called for Obama, he said winning South Carolina wasn’t on Clinton’s agenda.

“It was expected,” Crepagnier said.

Marta Cook, also a student from the University of Virginia, said Clinton was had the most experience and was “playing to win.”

“She’s not catering to anyone, she’s trying to do what’s best for the country,” Cook said. She said Obama won South Carolina by making promises to a couple thousand people in the state, but Clinton is trying to help the entire country.

She said she understood that Obama is a very exciting candidate, but personally wans’t going to “roll the dice” and take a chance with him.

“We did that with George Bush. Look where that got us,” Cook said. “Hillary as of right now is a sure bet.”

-Sean Gruber

Hundreds of supporters rally for Edwards, as they sit around chatting, eating, and drinking.Sam Martin, the Newberry county dean for theDemocratic party, said he voted for Edwards.”He’s the only Democratic candidate that can win Southern states in the election,” Martin said. “Obama and Clinton could not carry Southern states in a widepresidential election.”Martin said he thinks this campaign is over and that Edwards ran four years too early.-Halley Nani 

Hillary Clinton’s concession statement:

“I have called Senator Obama to congratulate him and wish him well.

“Thank you to the people of South Carolina who voted today and welcomed me into their homes over the last year. Your stories will stay with me well beyond this campaign and I am grateful for the support so many of you gave to me.

“We now turn our attention to the millions of Americans who will make their voices heard in Florida and the twenty-two states as well as American Samoa who will vote on February 5th.

“In the days ahead, I’ll work to give voice to those who are working harder than ever to be heard. For those who have lost their job or their home or their health care, I will focus on the solutions needed to move this country forward. That’s what this election is about. It’s about our country, our hopes and dreams. Our families and our future.”