Democratic joy mingled with Republican pain as Baltimore County residents reacted to the victory of Sen. Barack Obama as the next U.S. President.

At the Towson Library on election night, joy ruled.

When CNN’s forecast of an Obama victory in Ohio flashed on the library’s projection screen at 9:45 p.m., a crowd of 100 people erupted in happy shouts.

“This is an Obama crowd,” said Matthew Crenson, a retired political science professor, who was there to talk about the results to the gathering.

Later, Crenson agreed with most political analysts that the bad economy had decided the election. "The economy was the key issue, definitely,” Crenson said.

The day after Election Day, Donald Norris, chairman of the Department of Public Policy at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, affirmed Crenson’s view.

“Ninety percent of the voters said the economy was their most important issue,” Norris said.

Sen. John McCain “did not separate himself from Bush early enough or aggressively enough,” Norris said.

Norris called Obama’s win with 55 percent of the county vote “a bit surprising.”

“Considering that O’Malley barely broke even (in the county) a couple years ago, Obama’s win is significant,” Norris said.

Opinions varied

Elsewhere around the county, interpretations of Obama’s win varied.

An Arbutus restaurant owner, who voted for Obama, said the economic crunch was already causing pain on Main Street.

“There are people hurting out here. We’re in a recession,” said Clem Kaikis, owner of Paul’s Restaurant in Arbutus.

A local charity, Southwest Emergency Services, is swamped with pleas for food, clothing and bill-paying assistance, Kaikis said to illustrate.

Obama’s organization also proved an asset, he said.
 
A Republican leader agreed.
 
“He paid attention to every little detail,” said Eric Daxon, president of the Northern Baltimore County Republican and Civic Organization.

He saw Obama’s grass roots strength Nov. 2 as he drove through central Pennsylvania and counted Obama headquarters in many small towns, Daxon said.
“All I can say is ‘ouch,’ ” Daxon said.

‘Pure joy’

Supporters of Obama found satisfaction in their efforts on his behalf. With Maryland considered a sure win for the Democrat, a Towson attorney — long an Obama supporter — Kathleen Cahill, also worked in the Keystone State.

On Wednesday morning, Cahill said she felt “pure joy coupled with exhaustion.”
 
Cahill spent the days and nights before the election in Philadelphia working the streets, knocking on doors and ensuring voters knew the ropes, she said.

“It was a blur — sort of like a nonstop ‘ER’ episode — with everyone working toward a common purpose,” Cahill said.

Del. Adrienne Jones said “jubilation and tears” overcame her as she watched the returns with other members of the 10th District Democratic Club at Bethel AME Church in Randallstown.

The election of an African-American president does not mean racism has been vanquished in the country, but it was an important step, she said.

“And clearly, Obama was an exceptional candidate in terms of his intellect, and he ran a very precise campaign,” Jones said.

His nomination brought many first-time voters into play, she said.

These novices were “African-American boys in braids” but also included older folks who had never participated, she said.

“What I hope is that all this momentum transfers to action at the state and local level, where it could have the most impact,” Jones said.

‘The process worked’

“The process worked again,” said Meg O’Hare, a civic activist in Carney.

“I thought they were both fine candidates, I really did,” O’Hare said.

A Reisterstown businesswoman was disappointed that her choice, McCain, had lost but took a philosophical attitude.

“That is the wonderful thing about living in a democratic country,” said Rebecca Coyle, co-owner of Java Mamma’s coffeehouse in Reisterstown.

“We will just have to pray for the president we have,” Coyle said.

Despite long lines as the polls opened at 7 a.m., the day ended with less than a 70-percent turnout.
 
Director of the Baltimore County Board of Elections, Katie Brown called the 70 percent turnout “very disappointing.”

“After 3 p.m., maybe because of the drizzle, the polls were quiet,” Brown said.

Reporters Marcia Ames, Loni Ingraham, Jay R. Thompson, Pat van den Beemt and Bryna Zumer contributed to this story.

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