North Dakota Obama supporters of Barack Obama remained hopeful as major news outlets began steadily coloring the state red.

"We're not buying it," said Beth Nodland, one of the organizers of North Dakota Grassroots for Obama, pointing to a larger projector screen.

Three screens posted in a hall at the Elks' club in Bismarck boasted maps of the states, quickly turning shades of blue, red, gray, with side screens giving updates of the secretary of state's results and on-air interviews of local candidates.

"It's too close, it's too close," people were muttering at the North Dakota Democratic election night party, smiling, half-confident, half excited, and at 10 p.m., not at all anxious.

But in the end, Sen. John McCain carried North Dakota. However, Obama won the nation.

The room erupted in applause, hugs, cheers as the major networks began calling Obama as the next president of the U.S.

"It means change," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND. "His campaign was all about change, and I was proud to support him."

A larger than expected crowd gathered at Bismarck's Doublewood Inn for the North Dakota Republican Party's election night celebration.

Michael Bommarito, the state party's executive director, estimated that 250 people had come to watch election results in the red, white and blue decorated room.

He said he hadn't known whether to expect such a large turnout since there was another party going on in Mandan.

The celebration spanned generations, with 3-month-old Masin Kate Coyle likely representing the youngest Republican in the bunch.

Bommarito's wife, Kate, was holding the small, sleeping infant who came to the party with her mom, Bridget Coyle.

"She's the reason you shouldn't vote for Barack Obama," said Kate Bommarito, who described herself as a family friend.

Masin was born at 26 weeks, weighing 2 pounds 4 ounces, Georgene Hermanson, another friend, explained. Hermanson and Bommarito said Masin was proof that infants should not be aborted or denied life support.

"She's perfect, no problems," Kate Bommarito said.

She said her own two boys were also at the party, down the hall at the hotel's swimming pool. Kate Bommarito and Hermanson, who was at the party with her husband Kenny, said the celebration was going well.