The scene at Cyber Cafe West was welcoming but anxious as a crowd of about 50 people watched MSNBC streaming off the Internet, and waited to hear the results from the state of Ohio around 9:30 last night.

As Obama led 200 to 90 in electoral votes, the crowd silenced in anticipation for more news. As the announcement that Obama won Ohio came in, everyone in the cafe erupted in joy. A woman with a shirt that read “Ithaca for Obama” brought a tray of food over to a crowd of people clothed in Obama gear.

“People that are for McCain are living in an alternate reality,” said Jeff Kahn, a Binghamton alumnus and owner of Cyber Cafe West.

“We’ve worked for him [Obama], now it’s time for him to work for us,” Eric Loeb, a local psychologist said. “I’m six years older than McCain, and I’m a hell of a lot sharper than he is.”

Another woman, who identified herself as a member of the Social Justice Committee for the Unitarian Universalist’s Church, said the election had the potential to redefine the habits of the U.S. government.

“We’ve got the type of government that leaves people hungry; we have to change that,” she said.

As Obama won notoriously red states like Iowa and Nevada, tensions eased, the crowd took a drink and sighed.

On the other side of town, Republicans had little to cheer about. Gathered at Terra Cotta on State Street, the Broome County Republican Committee held an election fundraiser in the hopes that the local Republican nominees would win. Conservatives stood, watching two 10-foot projection screens playing Fox News. As the results reeled in that Obama was gaining a considerable lead on McCain, people began to sit or to head to the open bar.

“We have to accept it, it’s the American way,” Michael Marinaccio, the Republican County Executive candidate said. “Conservatives are sitting at the edge of their seats. We just have to hope and pray that Obama knows what he’s doing.”

The Republican Committee Chairwoman Debbie Preston went in front of the crowd at one point and announced, “We party whether we lose or win.”

Just up the block at Tom and Marty’s, there was a far more festive scene. Students sat glued to News 10 Local News, awaiting to hear the last winning numbers for Obama.

Co-owner of Tom and Marty’s, Larry Shea, said he took a “non-partisan approach” to the election.

“Obama has a lot of appeal for college students,” he said. More than anything, Shea was happy that the election was called so early, allowing people time to celebrate before the bars closed at 1 a.m.

A bartender at Tom and Marty’s and a senior majoring in psychology at BU, Kimberly Buelta said she was happy to be able to experience the election.

“It’s exciting that we are now a part of history, not just learning about it,” she said.

Many students were outspoken and had a lot to share. Anna Dallis, a sophomore majoring in accounting, arrived at Tom and Marty’s around 9 p.m.

“I’ve been here just waiting for Obama to win, otherwise I’m moving to Canada” she said.

On the other side of the bar, one girl yelled, “I’m still a Republican!”

Around 11 p.m., many of the final projections were in, declaring the senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, the president-elect of the United States. A name widely unknown before his presidential campaign, Obama raised over $500 million for the Democratic National Committee — a record amount, according to reports from Bloomberg.com.

The scene was generally gleeful, except for a few apathetic faces.

“Just another puppet, that’s all a president is,” Dedrick Opel, a Binghamton local, said.

“After a long and hard campaign, I hope he’s exactly what he promised,” Anthony Vescova, another BU student, said outside of Tony’s.