Unassociated Press

“I was here 44 years ago when my father was elected president,” said a radiant Luci Baines Johnson, the sound of her voice periodically muffled by the cheers from the crowd at the historic Driskell Hotel in Austin, Texas as they watched swing states cross, one by one, to the blue side of America.

“My father knew when he signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965 that he would hand over the nation to Republicans for the next generation, but he said if that’s what it takes it’s worth it.”

The daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson wore an impeccable blue suit with a button on the lapel that read “America’s Next First Family” above a serene picture of Barack and Michelle Obama with their two young daughters.

“Tonight, his dreams are coming true. Tonight society has justice. Congratulations to all of us.”

The party, held by the Obama for America Campaign, began like an electric Super Bowl game-the massive crowd, almost impossible for one trying to get to the bar to navigate through, booed as the opposing team won the reliable Republican states.

The booing, however, was heard only occasionally.

As states that went red fours years ago swung over to Obama, the crowd, which could not be characterized by any race, age, gender or income demographic but did distinctly smell of sweat and alcohol, cheered so loudly that the $8.50 Blue State Martini glass in the hand of a young woman near the smokers’ balcony began to vibrate; its contents seemingly trembled with excitement.

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“Mr. Baker did they call your cab already?” asked co-owner and manager Regina Estrada of Joe’s Bakery and Coffee Shop on East 7^th Street in Austin, Texas, her voice loud enough to be heard over the robust lunch crowd by the elderly black man slowly walking with a cane to the exit.

Estrada, whose grandparents, Joe and Paula Avila, founded the bakery in 1962, quickly and gracefully slid out of the corner booth, put her hand on Mr. Baker’s shoulder and walked him to the door.

Giving personal attention to customers, especially to the elderly, is typical of Estrada, who attributes her personable demeanor as being based in Mexican American culture.

“To us, it’s not about getting bigger,” said Estrada, who graduated from Texas State University in 2002 with a business degree, “it’s about doing the best with what we have and taking care of family, employees, and customers and making people feel at home,” said Estrada.

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