HUNTINGTON -- Backers of Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday celebrated his decisive victory in the presidential race, but even more voters in West Virginia were likely coping with disappointment since John McCain won the state with 56 percent of ballots cast.

Supporters of McCain, the GOP nominee, said Wednesday that although they are disappointed, it's time to get behind the nation's new leader.

"America and West Virginia need to rally behind Obama," said Glen Midkiff, who lives in Lincoln County and works in Huntington. "We're in this together, and we need to pull together."

As expected, Obama supporters were in a better mood Wednesday. But even some of them said they weren't expecting their presidential candidate to be declared the winner so early on Election Day.

"It doesn't surprise me that he won, but the quickness surprised me," said Marshall University freshman Nick Stewart. He said Obama's middle class tax plan and innovative ideas are what drew him to the polls for his first election.

Marshall's student body vice president, Sean Hornbuckle, is especially proud of Obama's victory. But the African-American graduate student said race is just part of the reason why.

"Even before acknowledging that he is the first black president, I want to say that America got it right this time," said Hornbuckle, who is from Huntington. "We clearly picked the person that will lead us into the future. I think, as a country, we looked at issues more than race."

Not only does he believe Obama can put the nation back on track, but he also forecasts that young black children will be inspired to set higher goals.

"It's a sense of pride, a sense of belonging," he said. "It will push people to excel. It means so much that people actually say you can do anything."

Kevin Baird, who was in town Wednesday working for the International Steelworkers Union, described himself as a "die-hard Democrat," with nothing out there to sway him to vote Republican. But the Louisville, Ky., resident said many of his Republican friends had no problem giving their votes to Obama.

"I've been told by friends they switched (parties) because of the economy, job losses and the war in Iraq," Baird said.

He said he would like to see the hateful comments that have been directed toward Obama on online forums stop. And not just because Obama was his candidate. He said the system designed to elect a president worked, and people should accept the outcome.

Some on the forums questioned Obama's integrity, accused him of being a socialist and questioned his faith and the faith of the people who voted for him, among other things.

Mark Caserta, a conservative Republican, agreed with Midkiff that it's time to forget about party lines and offer support to Obama. The attacks should end, particularly with Election Day.

"It's time to put partisanship aside," said Caserta. "We have a lot ... we need to accomplish as a nation."

While he still questions Obama's associations and Senate voting record, Caserta said the rumors about the president-elect's citizenship and religious affiliation should stop.

"Those stories are ridiculous," he said. "We have to put our questions about Obama behind us and support (him)."

Bill Rosenberger/ The Herald-Dispatch

Marshall University students Kyrstin Riggs, Nathan Wood, Nick Stewart and Brandon George, all of whom voted for Barack Obama, discussed the outcome Wednesday morning outside the Memorial Student Center.

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