Obama from an American perspective

Barack Obama, the president-elect of the USA, began his acceptance speech with the words, "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

With those words I was proud to be an American for the first time since I can remember. Obama won the election by a landslide - his 365 electoral college votes to McCain’s 162 - showing that indeed America is ready for the change that has been promised.

In his speech Obama goes on to say that the answer to the questions of Americans are "spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."

By this point (granted it was only thirty seconds in) my eyes were watering - and The Notebook did not even leave me in tears. For Obama to address all people in the US, including minorities of demographics, created a sense of unity that has disappeared with George W. Bush in office.

America is going through a bit of an Obama obsession at the moment. The vote count shows just to what extent we stand behind him and disagree with how the US is currently being run.

As an American I can honestly say that when I read Obama’s stances on issues, I feel a sense of hope for a country that needs to rebuild a less than stellar reputation. For example, on women’s rights he states that he "works for America’s women – supporting a woman’s right to choose, equal pay for equal work, expanding the childcare tax credit and paid sick leave for parents", compared to McCain’s conservative views.

To a certain extent I can read that quote and realise that Obama’s campaign is telling the American public what they want to hear. However, compared to McCain’s views on issues, what I want to hear is far better than where he would lead the country.

Being from a liberal DC suburb (which voted over 80% Obama) it is difficult to imagine Obama’s race to be a factor in the election. The United States is a diverse place with people from all over the world, but with the positives come the negatives. Just as in any country, there are ignorant people who believe that having an African-American president would be detrimental to the States.

CNN reports that, "Even in polls taken earlier this year, a majority of African-Americans said that a solution to the country's racial problems would never be found; now blacks and whites agree that racial tensions may end" with Obama in office. Obama put it eloquently when he addressed those who did not vote for him and said, "And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too."

Obama’s message has always been one of hope and now that he will be the next American president on 20th January 2009, the world will get to see how much America and its people can change. Bush has led America many steps back in not only the American citizen’s eye but in that of the world.

So to all other Americans and Obama supporters, I look at the future with hope and to the troubles along the way I will always chant with pride, "Yes we can!"

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