Obama becomes 44th president

4am: Barack Obama has passed the magic 270-vote winning line and will become the 44th President of the United States. The Illinois Senator reached the total of 273 electoral college votes when California and Washington were called for the Democrats.

Obama's aim now will be to rack up as many of the remaining states to gain as commanding a mandate as possible. He has also taken Oregon, Virginia, Colorado, Florida and Hawaii, and is projected to take further states.

FIRST POSTED NOVEMBER 5, 2008