As the momentum from Election Day continued through yesterday morning and afternoon, Centre County Democrats and Republicans waited to hear the final word on their president-elect.

Word came with a phone call at 11:02 a.m. yesterday morning to President George W. Bush from Sen. John Kerry.

Kerry conceded.

Centre County Republicans Chairman Glenn Thompson said he was tired but extremely happy.

"I was very pleased that [Kerry's phone call] had occurred. Every indication was that the election would drag for days, if not weeks, especially with the army of lawyers that had been deployed in this campaign," Thompson said.

College Republicans Chairman Andy Banducci was also happy with the results.

"It's great. I'm excited that Sen. Kerry honorably conceded the race. It's better late than never, and at least this gives the nation a chance to get right behind the president for the next four years," he said.

Local Kerry supporters were disappointed with the election results.

"It's a sad day for America. I think it's sad for all of those people who lost jobs under George Bush, for all those mothers who have their children in Iraq and don't know why, and for those students who are fighting for or being priced out of education," said College Democrats President Megan Green.

Centre County Democrats Chairman Bob Shepherd said he was worried for the future of America because of the election's outcome.

"I'm desolated [sic]," Shepherd said. "One really wonders about the rationality of one's fellow man when something like this happens. It's just not a good sign for the country and the future of the life of the entire planet."

Shepherd said he was glad many state offices went to Democrats, which showed that Centre County Democrats worked hard on the local level. However, he felt that more could have been done nationally, especially since Kerry won in Pennsylvania.

Thompson said the next step for local Republicans is to clean up their office and gather up yard signs.

"We'll continue in the business that we do in terms of serving Republican voters within Centre County. We'll be resuming the voter registration process and begin looking to the next election cycle. The fun will start all over again," he said.

At Centre County Republican headquarters, Zach Snyder (senior-mathematics) was helping to clean up the office. Piles of posters were lying on tables and bookshelves were empty.

"I'm feeling great; I just wish I didn't stay up until 4 a.m. with no answer," Snyder said.

Shepherd said his party would be doing the same today.

"Right now, I think we're just numb," he said. "We'll be a stronger party than we were before. Hopefully, in four years, we'll win the presidency and some degree of control of Congress and the House [of Representatives]. It's all we can hope for and I don't think that's unrealistic."

Green said she was pleased with the College Democrats' work in registering voters and educating students.

"We've had a lot of national attention put on Penn State for what we've done and now [legislators] know that students care. That's the most important thing that we could have ever done. Not until we show legislators that we care will they pay attention to students and their needs," she said.

Banducci said the College Republicans would take the week off to recuperate then would sponsor educational activities for students, possibly in conjunction with the College Democrats.

Banducci said he did not have a definite plan for these activities.

"College Republicans will be more active than ever," he said.

Thompson said this election is important not only to our country's present state of affairs, but also to its future.

"This election was not about the next four years, but the next 40 in regards to safety, the economy and many different issues. I know that everyone that has been in this campaign feel very strongly that this election was worth that investment," he said.