Strickland addresses crowd at Renaissance after Obama projected to win Ohio

"O-H," Gov. Ted Strickland said to the hundreds of people crowded into the Columbus Renaissance Hotel 2nd floor ballroom.

"I-O," they screamed back at him.

Strickland told the crowd of Ohio Democrats that he was proud of his state, following the projections by several news organizations that Barack Obama would win in Ohio.

"What a great night this is," Strickland said, joined on the platform by Ohio Democratic Party chair Chris Redfern, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, Ohio House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, state Treasurer Richard Cordray, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Strickland said he wanted to thank a couple additional people who were not on the platform who he said were integral to Obama's projected victory in the state. These included ODP executive director Doug Kelly, his chief of staff John Hasley and Obama state director Aaron Pickrell.

"Ohio is the heart of it all," Strickland said. "And tonight, Ohio has sent a message that will reverberate across this nation."

Strickland said that the results show that America has come together and broken down the barrier of race by electing Obama president.

"We are a stronger country, and a more unified people because of what has happened in Ohio and across America today," Strickland said. "We're going to be charitable tonight. This is not a night for negative thoughts, for negative words. This is a night for celebration."

Strickland said that for all the naysayers and doubters: "Ohio is a welcoming state. America is an inclusive country. And together we will set about this night to begin the process of rebuilding our nation and restoring the American dream to the American people. God bless you and god bless America."