Ch-ch-ch-changes

< obligatory post-US-election post >

"Worst job in the US given to a black guy. Nothing changes, man." (Thanks Dan!)

Except it does, and will - hopefully.

Amidst all the rejoicing and celebration (in the case of my colleague, of being "less ashamed" to be American), it was predictable to see an embittered and stern-faced Fox focusing instead on Obama's "tough start" - a financial meltdown and two wars that the Republicans have landed the new incumbent with, lest they forget. And, as pleased (and relieved) as I am at the outcome, I can't help thinking of that day back in May 1997 which we really thought heralded a new dawn in British politics - look how that turned out.

Ascending to a position of power has a tendency to result in compromise, as ideals are diluted and reforms snarled up in the mechanics of government. Will Obama be able to achieve everything he's set out to? No. Will he be able to achieve what he does eventually achieve quickly? No. But, for the first time in years, there is at least hope.

The US is like a tank - big, powerful, heavyweight, frequently destructive and difficult to manoeuvre. At least now, though, we haven't got an idiot at the controls.

Sorry, you haven't ended up here looking for incisive political analysis, have you?

< /obligatory post-US-election post >