KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sen. Barack Obama supporters in the metro celebrated well into the morning, even though he didn't win in either Missouri or Kansas.

In 11 weeks, Obama will make history when he is sworn in as the first African-American president in the United States.

Hundreds of supporters were at the Midland Theater downtown Tuesday night, intent on watching results come in.

Campaign officials said the work of volunteers in Missouri helped the Illinois senator take the White House victory.

Melissa Nitti, Obama's Kansas City press secretary, said the grassroots effort was unprecedented. She said that more than 25,000 Obama volunteers spent the last four days before the election knocking on 1.3 million Missouri doors.

"I expected Obama to win, but I thought it was closer than I expected," said voter Nick Mansell.

Voter Jim Acres said, "Obviously, it's historical. It's interesting. Hopefully he'll govern from the center and try to be the consensus builder that I think the United States hopes for. I'm guardedly optimistic. We'll just have to wait and see."