Article: Obama takes Senate seat in a landslide 'Thank you, Illinois! I don't know about you, but I'm still fired up!'

Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, capping an incredible 21-month political odyssey that began amid whispers that the South Side Democrat had a name no one would vote for and culminated with predictions he would be in the White House someday.

Obama waltzed into the history books by beating Republican Alan Keyes 71 percent to 26 percent with 85 percent of the precincts tallied. It was shaping up to be the most lopsided popular election for U.S. Senate in Illinois history.

"Thank you, Illinois! I don't know about you, but I'm still fired up!" Obama told supporters, reprising a line he used in his primary victory speech.

"Six hundred and fifty-six days ago, I announced in a ...

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