President Obama

It's done. America has apologised to the world for seven years of war, a ruined global economy and a deteriorating climate. A majority (albeit a slim one) has spoken and chosen a new leader to represent the most powerful nation in the world that man... talks like a Kennedy. Obama speaks with such conviction that despite my long-standing cynicism directed at politics in general, I find myself wanting to believe in a brighter future.

Think about it for a moment: a black man is president of the United States.

Maybe there is hope for us after all.

As for John McCain, I'm left with some disappointment in knowing that his career is coming to a close. McCain has always been a patriot and servant to his country for that, I feel that he's not been given enough credit. I may not have agreed with most of what he supported but such devotion and service to the greater whole must be recognised and for that I thank him for his hard work and dedication.

The future for Obama is going to be terribly difficult. The whole world has pinned such hopes on him and has, dare I say it, unreasonable expectations of the powers of one man to captain a ship so very full of holes. In the coming years, we must remember that change requires more than empassioned speeches, it needs dedication and support from the people. The president has called for sacrifice and service and if change is really going to happen, these will both have to come in spades.