As we begin to take stock of the election, it's remarkable to see just how much better Barack Obama performed in a number of crucial states than either John Kerry or Al Gore did in 2004 and 2000 respectively. Obama's wins in the traditionally Republican states of Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia are especially notable. (All results are from CNN.)

Florida

Obama won: 51%-49%

Kerry lost: 47% to 52%

Gore "lost:" 49% to 49%

North Carolina

Obama won: 50% to 49%

Kerry lost: 44% to 56%

Gore lost: 43% to 56%

Virginia

Obama won: 52% to 47%

Kerry lost: 45% to 54%

Gore lost: 45% to 52%

Pennsylvania

Obama won: 55% to 44%

Kerry won: 51% to 49%

Gore won: 51% to 47%

Ohio

Obama won: 51% to 47%

Kerry lost 49% to 51%

Gore lost 46% to 50%

Indiana

Obama won: 50% to 49%

Kerry lost: 39% to 60%

Gore lost: 41% to 57%

Colorado

Obama won: 53% to 46%

Kerry lost: 47% to 52%

Gore lost: 42% to 51%

New Mexico

Obama won: 57% to 42%

Kerry lost: 49% to 50%

Gore won: 48% to 48%

Nevada

Obama won: 55% to 43%

Kerry lost: 48% to 51%

Gore lost: 46% to 49%