Obama defeats Romney for 2d term

President Obama overcame a formidable challenge by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

President Obama, appearing in Chicago with his family, declared that “the best is yet to come” for the nation.

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President Obama, appearing in Chicago with his family, declared that “the best is yet to come” for the nation.

Obama, who needed 270 electoral votes to be elected, was declared the winner by TV networks around 11:15 p.m.

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Obama, who needed 270 electoral votes to be elected, was declared the winner by TV networks around 11:15 p.m.

Mitt Romney conceded during a speech in Boston.

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Mitt Romney conceded during a speech in Boston.

Romney and his wife, Ann, waved to somber backers early Wednesday.

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Romney and his wife, Ann, waved to somber backers early Wednesday.

Elizabeth Warren hugged her husband, Bruce Mann, after her victory speech.

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Elizabeth Warren hugged her husband, Bruce Mann, after her victory speech.

Scott Brown gave a concession speech.

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Scott Brown gave a concession speech.

Winner of the 4th Congressional District, Joseph Kennedy III acknowledged applause during his rally at the Newton Marriott.

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Winner of the 4th Congressional District, Joseph Kennedy III acknowledged applause during his rally at the Newton Marriott.

Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional District Sean Bielat gave his concession speech.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional District Sean Bielat gave his concession speech.

Bernie Starr, left, joined his partner Richard Tisei in Peabody.

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Bernie Starr, left, joined his partner Richard Tisei, who challenged John F. Tierney in the Mass. 6th Congressional District, in Peabody.

Supporters gathered around a television at John F. Tierney's election-night event in Salem. Tierney narrowly won reelection.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Supporters gathered around a television at John F. Tierney's election-night event in Salem. Tierney narrowly won reelection.

Cean Orrett (center) and Gareth Edmondson-Jones reacted to positive predictions for President Obama in Times Square.

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Cean Orrett (center) and Gareth Edmondson-Jones reacted to positive predictions for President Obama in Times Square.

After a long campaign, Romney supporters watched the election results at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

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After a long campaign, Romney supporters watched the election results at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

Romney supporters were somber in Boston.

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Romney supporters were somber in Boston.

Romney supporters watched results at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

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Romney supporters watched results at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Romney supporters rested on the floor at the entrance to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

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Romney supporter rested on the floor at the entrance to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Supporters of President Obama cheered while watching the returns at his election night rally in Chicago.

Larry Downing/Reuters

Supporters of President Obama cheered while watching the returns at his election night rally in Chicago.

Travis Beatty used a flashlight to look at a sample ballot as he waited with other voters in line near Birmingham, Ala.

Tamika Moore/The Birmingham News/Associated Press

Travis Beatty used a flashlight to look at a sample ballot as he waited with other voters in line near Birmingham, Ala.

Arizona Democrats in Tucson celebrated as Barack Obama was declared the winner of the presidential race.

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Arizona Democrats in Tucson celebrated as Barack Obama was declared the winner of the presidential race.

Ajay Narayan cheered as the race is called for Barack Obama at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

Sam Morris/Las Vegas Sun/Reuters

Ajay Narayan cheered as the race was called for President Obama at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

Supporters of President Obama celebrated as they watched election results in Harlem.

Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Supporters of President Obama celebrated as they watched election results in Harlem.

News Analysis

Economy kept Obama afloat, blocked Romney win

In the end, the rising economy secured President Obama a second term.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/07/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/121106senate0204--90x90.jpg Elizabeth Warren defeats Scott Brown

Warren, a fierce consumer advocate who galvanized liberals across the nation, won a decisive victory over Brown.

John F. Tierney, with his wife, Patrice, spoke to supporters early Wednesday in Salem.

Rep. Tierney hangs on to win Sixth District

Rep. John Tierney held to win a ninth term, beating Republican Richard Tisei by the narrowest margin since his first victory.

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Globe analysis on the races, reports from the rallies, and scenes from the polls.

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//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/05/BostonGlobe.com/Politics/Images/90x90voting.jpg Election results

Maps of state-by-state presidential results, town-by-town Senate results, and links to other US, state, and local races.

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With John Farrell (left) hired as manager, GM Ben Cherington is looking out for some good deals.

Confidence in Ben Cherington remains high

His first season was a disaster. But Red Sox officials and his colleagues are insistent that Cherington is the right man to rebuild the team.

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