Pamela Reamer Williams asked if her mascara was smeared or her makeup ruined.

She felt as if she had been crying all evening.

Tears fell from her eyes once again as she talked about Barack Obama, a man who she said "got people of their seats" and changed the lives of Democrats and young people everywhere.

"After six months of holding my breath, I might be able to take a deep one," said Reamer Williams who gave the introduction speech for Obama when he visited Casper in March

Other Wyoming Democrats cried along with Reamer Williams when ABC News announced Obama would be the 44th president of the United States.

The entire room at the Ramada Riverside Hotel in Casper, where Natrona County Democrats gathered, jumped to their feet and cheered loudly. Parents hugged their children and told them to remember this moment.

They chanted, "Yes, we can. Yes, we can" while holding Obama for Change signs high in the air.

"There are people in this room who called people in Pennsylvania, Colorado and New Mexico," said Michelle Sullivan, Wyoming director of Obama for America. "I want all of you to celebrate because this is your victory."

Reamer Williams admitted she was disappointed Obama received less than 35 percent of the vote in Wyoming and the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives lost.

"I was holding my breath for Gary Trauner just as much," she said.

Natrona County Republicans gathered at the Petroleum Club in Casper to monitor election results. The partygoers' reserved mood contrasted sharply with images of jubilant Democrats shown on televisions inside the club.

"I'm sitting here with a broken heart because I can't stand," said Jim Bush, who sits on the Natrona County school board. "I had such hope for McCain and such fear for Obama."

The fact that Democrats will control the White House and Congress exacerbated Bush's concerns.

"It is basically a liberal conquest," he said.

At the same time, Bush drew comfort from the fact Wyoming voters elected an all-Republican congressional delegation.

"At the state level, everything is going to work out OK," he said. "At the national level, there is real concern."

Contact reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com

Contact reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or joshua.wolfson@trib.com