After starting off in the early summer thinking "oh God, another opportunity for the Repubs to steal an election" I became more and more enthused with Obama the more time wore on. I was mightily impressed by his speech about race a few months back. I have been impressed by his composure, his rhetoric and his refusal to be pulled into a mud-slinging match. I was overwhelmed by the humility in his speech last night too. No victory crowing, no "Team America! Fuck Yeah!" juvenile antics. Just someone who is prepared to roll his sleeves up and get on with shovelling the shit out of the Augean Stables that has become the American government.
I can't remember ever feeling this emotional about an American election, in a good way. (I can remember thinking you were all a bunch of useless twats for voting in Bush for a second time, though - although I can hardly throw stones, cos we still have New Labour.
)
I read on blogs that nothing will change. I disagree. The change has already happened. He has galvanised people of all ages, creeds and colours into a movement for change, and that is a great start. A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, and that step has already been taken. What we heard yesterday was a resounding "Enough!" Enough of greed. Enough of anger. Enough of ignorance. The majority of the American people are sick of it, and so are we.
He has a huge task on his hands now. As he rightly says, it will take more than a year, and more than a term in office to bring about the changes that are needed. But at least he
wants to change it, and has over 50% of the country behind him.
I wish I was American today. And I don't think I have ever said that in my life. I am so proud of you guys.
