By CBS 4 Newsroom
newsroom@cbs4qc.com
WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama has claimed a second term from an incredibly divided electorate in trying economic times.
He is bracing for daunting challenges and progress that comes only in fits and starts. He told supporters at a victory rally early Wednesday morning that "the best is yet to come.''
The same voters who gave Obama another four years also elected a divided Congress.
Democrats retained control of the Senate; Republicans renewed their majority in the House.
The vanquished Republican, Mitt Romney, tried to set a more conciliatory tone on the way off the stage, saying the nation "can't risk partisan bickering'' after a campaign filled with it.
Obama claimed a commanding electoral mandate, at least 303 electoral votes to 206 for Romney, although the popular vote was closer.
162,037 of 174,047 precincts reporting:
Obama 57,885,939 - 50%
Has won 26 states including the District of Columbia with 303 Electoral Votes.
Leads in 1 state with 29 Electoral Votes
Romney 55,979,642 - 48%
Has won 24 states with 206 Electoral Votes
Leads in 0 states with 0 Electoral Votes
Others 1,777,596 - 2%
Needed to win: 270 of the 538 electoral votes from the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
There was a wide range of opinions from locals at Ross' restaurant in Bettendorf this morning.
"I was shocked," says Denise Winston. "I didn't think Obama would it pull it out. The polls were neck and neck and I really thought that Romney was going to win."
"My kids and I were running around and going '4 more years! 4 more years,'" says Angie Yanez of Bettendorf.
Locals were out at the popular restaurant where just recently the Vice President made a visit.
Customers at this politicians hot spot say regardless of the result, they are happy to see the election said and done.
"I am so happy it's over with," says David Jack. "Beyond belief am I happy."
Regardless of the outcome, customers we spoke with say they want the country to work together in the coming years.
"We need to move on and we need to really focus in on our children, education, our economy and just keep on," Jack adds. "Things are not easy."
