Well... looks like it's Obama then

[dudi]

Lets hope he's an improvement!

 

[alecstilleyedye]

well he couldn't be any worse

personally, i'm very pleased.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Pleased but not surprised.

 

[yello]

It'll be interesting to see just what changes he is allowed to make. I know he has ideas but I'm sure there are people in the corridors smiling and thinking 'yeah, right'.

 

[Dayvo]

Pleased, but very surprised.

Electing George W once (with a very dubious voting system) once was bad enough, but twice was unforgiveable.

Who knows how easily the average American 'chav' is swayed by popular opinion?

But Obama's the man.

 

[Aperitif]

Obama campaign spent $500 + million up to October , McCain's was running at $350 +/-. Expensive way to become a 'moving target'!
I just hope the The Reverend Jesse Jackson doesn't surface on the back of this...

 

[Melvil]

Plus ca change...as they say.

Obama is a very powerful orator, a highly intelligent and skilled politician and he is a lightning rod for swathes of liberals and real or titular disenfranchised sections of society in America.

However, it remains to be seen how he deals with very poor economic conditions at home, wars abroad and climate change etc. He is also in hock to the rich backers of his election campaign and they will come knocking at his door sooner or later.

But just for the prhase 'America's first black president' he's already written his name in history.

 

[freakhatz]

When's he visiting Dallas?

 

[Stan]

When's he visiting Dallas?

FBI? I have some information regarding a possible assassination attempt....

 

[monnet]

As Jeremy Hardy said on the News Quiz about 6 months ago, 'It's not a question of whether America is ready for its first black president, it's a question of whether is America is ready for it's first black president to be assassinated.'

Like many here, I'm pleased too. Both candidates looked good (in that they brought very different qualities to the race) but in choosing Palin over Lieberman, McCain rather cooked his goose. I agree with Melvill's reservations but I the impression I've built of him is that he has the verve and energy to make things happen and even if events (eg. wars and economics) are for the most part out of his hands, I think the change he signifies will galvanise the US. In 2000 the US was sitting pretty - the only superpower, close to its allies and admired by most other nations. 8 years on and it is alienated from its traditional allies and loathed by most other nations. Obama will at least change the perception of the US overseas and that will ultimately be reflected domestically.

 

[yello]

Obama will at least change the perception of the US overseas.

If he can do that then it's a big step forward.

 

[Fnaar]

I thought McCain's speech after losing was very gracious....

 

[ChrisKH]

As Jeremy Hardy said on the News Quiz about 6 months ago, 'It's not a question of whether America is ready for its first black president, it's a question of whether is America is ready for it's first black president to be assassinated.'

Like many here, I'm pleased too. Both candidates looked good (in that they brought very different qualities to the race) but in choosing Palin over Lieberman, McCain rather cooked his goose. I agree with Melvill's reservations but I the impression I've built of him is that he has the verve and energy to make things happen and even if events (eg. wars and economics) are for the most part out of his hands, I think the change he signifies will galvanise the US. In 2000 the US was sitting pretty - the only superpower, close to its allies and admired by most other nations. 8 years on and it is alienated from its traditional allies and loathed by most other nations. Obama will at least change the perception of the US overseas and that will ultimately be reflected domestically.

I hate to be cynical, but if you see any real change in US foreign policy I would be extremely surprised. It isn't in the US's interest to change anything materially, apart from pulling more troops home, which would be for domestic reasons if anything. A change is as good as a rest I suppose. Eventually the economy will turn round in the US and Obama will get the credit, but nothing major is going to change. I'd like to be more positive as I work for a US company but history does not support what you are saying. 'Time for Change' was his slogan but what change? What policies has he advocated? His election is on the back of US dispondancy and dare I say it because he is black. I'm glad he has been appointed because that means it won't stop the next non-white running for presidency and has, as you say galvanised the population especially the African-Americans. But in real terms it doesn't mean anything yet. I will wait four years to see what he can achieve, but I'm not optimistic.

 

[Bodhbh]

He reminds me of Blair and this reminds me of Blairs 1997 election. Same buzz here but times 10. Wonder what everyone will think of him 10yrs down the line, well I guess we're about to find out.

 

[yenrod]

Brilliant news – anything’s better than the evil that has reined for soo long !