I happen to be doing a google search and stumbled onto a thread in this forum, anyhow I just wanted to express my surprise how much the US presidential elections have become so important to the youth of Australia.
Being a 6th generation American living in California, all I can say is that I have never seen the amount of excitment these past few days have experieneced. I voted for Barack on Tuesday and accross the street from the polling station, there was a huge crowd of young Obama supports hollering on the curb, people honking horns and showing support. The moment Obama was pronounced Pres, it was something unforgettable, me and two friends went driving down Hollywood Blvd here in west LA and it was insane. People were shouting and extremely excited. This has just as much as we have been wanting change from the current administration as much as Barack is a charismatic, young and most importantly he is a minority - in this case African American. Someone mentioned that he is half black but that is a mute point, the fact is most African Americans are not full black to begin with, there has been generations of admixture in this nation and we will be getting our first First Lady who is a direct decendant of slaves, these developments are historic and set huge precedent for our people as a whole and toward reconciliation of our great nation. But given our civil war, discrimination and subsequent civil rights movement in the 60's, it was a spectacular turn of evens on Nov 4th. People were very emotional, here on US television for example, several news casters had noticeable tears in their eyes the moment they announced the victory. Katie Courin on NBC and John Gibson on ABC are to name a few.
Anyhow, this means a great deal to America. And on Nov 4th, we truley were the the greatest nation on earth. I'm glad our selection of president is being seen as a step foward in breaking the racial barrier in this nation for good while making an impact in other places for example in your nation.
Anyhow, I'm pleaseantly surprised you guys' are so interested in our historic election.