U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Lorian) told the gathering of Democrats at the Columbus Renaissance Hotel that Ohio has given Barack Obama the presidency.

Brown's remarks came after several news organizations projected Obama the winner of Ohio in the 2008 presidential election.

"Ohio is the state that matters and you are the reason that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States," Brown said.

Brown said that on th Senate floor he sits right behind the junior Senator from Illinois, Obama.

Brown said that when he goes back to Washington he's going to go up to Obama and say, "Good afternoon, Mr. President."

Brown also predicted strong wins for Democrats in the U.S. Senate, leading Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher to joke that there should be a "Brown Network" for election projections.