Racism in America is dead. There is nothing left a black man cant do in this country. The legacy of victimhood is over. We apologize no more. The rest of the world has been served notice.

b.bolt, Richmond, USA

This is one Chicagoan who most definitely was not jumping for joy after Tuesday's election. I pray that he proves me wrong, but I genuinely fear for what lies ahead.

Beth, Chicago, United States

Don't forget, Obama only won 51% of the popular vote, that's 49% that didn't want him as their President. America is still a divided country.

I personally like Obama (and McCain) and wish him the best in what has to be the toughest job ever invented in the history of Man.

Andy, Manchester,

FYI - He didn't win the majority of the popular votes by much and if the economy wasn't and issue now or if the VP choice was different, Obama wouldn't have won. Just because Europe likes him as president doesn't mean all Americans are jumping up and down with joy either.

John, Tampa, USA

Obama is a person with a challange ahead of him. Moreso than most, his vision is clear and his principles are sound. He, obviously, has and will have many obstacles. The greatest of these will be the bitter and entrenched American quality of partisianship and the curse of regional racisim.

Curt, Ketchum, ID, US

No Mr Baker.I don`t feel anything but fear with this man at the helm and alot of people share my views on this matter.

Janice, Madison, USA

It's not the black man as President; it’s the Green Man as President I rejoice. A highly articulate, intelligent & sensible man who understands what is needed in this post Bush world. Green not in a tree hugger way but in a sensible- work with the planet because it makes sense way. Obama, you’re the man!!

Alan , Newmarket, UK

The author demonstrates what fear can do to one, fear of hope itself. Name one good thing that has happened in the last 8 years of Bush administration. Obama starts at ground '0.' He may not achieve everything but he will achieve something-the best brains in the country want to help him. Great start

David P Hall, Bangkok , Thailand

Obama was everything to everyone. People heard from an eloquent, good looking African-American what they wanted to hear--and he knew what to say. All form, little substance--and for those who think running the US is like running an election campaign--standby--you are about to be enlightened.

Jeremiah , Burke, VA, USA

It was interesting looking at openess which the news in Europe covered this potentially momentous event, as contrasted with coverage in the US, where, almost right up until that moment, it almost seemed taboo to mention it. But once Obama won, its all we talked about. It truly is awesome though!

Noel, Centreville, VA, US

I'm a registered Republican, but I voted for Obama, mainly b/c I felt it was time for a major overhaul in DC. It'll be nice having a man in office whom you trust to properly handle a sticky situation, like, oh, I don't know, an enormous hurricane barreling through our country and killing our people.

Dan, Louisville, KY, USA

In this country we're always longing for the NEW. Pretty often it did turn out as the synonym for BETTER. Maybe, now this will be the case too. Don't, however, put all your money on it. An one party rule is a reason to be if not fearful, ahead of time, than, at least, not too excited.

Felix, Mountain View,

Whatever Obama accomplishes will depend heavily on civilian participation. Presidents dictate policy and direction; civilians enact action and results (election results for example)... if we do not all row together, then Obama's policies won't do any good. This is not the time for being selfish.

gherhardt, Los Angeles , CA, U.S.A.

If the "world" can "love" America only if it has a president that the "world" deems culturally relevant, I'm not sure that such love is needed here. We'll take it. But some honest and critical appreciation would be nice, as well.

Brian, Barnstable, MA , US

I am concerned that the euphoric mood of the American public will turn ugly and start looking for scapegoats if Obama's policies seem to fail. Republicans in a blue state have a very real fear of persecution if they don't "go along"; from Obama, but the petty officials who come in with him.

Gregory Baker, Odenton, Maryland , USA

I'm underwhelmed by all this cause I'm so used to black people in power in USA (Powell & Rice spring to mind) that Obama's election seems so natural.

Also with the world euphoria of electing their first black president, is it not fair to ask how long it will be before they elect a woman?

GH, Belfast, UK

His first years will be marked with disappointment for the promises cannot be kept, the figures don't (and never did) add up. If he gives in to the demands from the greens of "green power only", a Republican administration will follow in 4 years.

LAllen, Atlanta, USA

I'm a right-wing curmudgeon, and I admit no such thing.

David, Pontiac, Michigan,, USA

I continue to be puzzled by the epitaph of Obama as an "African-American." First of all, he's half white, through his mother. And if he's anything, he is the genuine "African-American" article, as his father was Kenyan and his mother American. From 4 November on, all the others are simply American.

Emiel, The Hague, The Netherlands

Finally a balanced article. Obama is not a saint and McCain is not the anti-christ. America has reason to be proud for electing Obama, let's hope he lives to his promise.

J, London, UK

Obama is already tempering the wild promises that he made on the campaign trail. Instead of "Yes we can!" he now seems to be saying "Yes we might!" He is in huge danger of overpromising and underdelivering as reality sets in. With the inbox from hell, his honeymoon in office will be be very short.

Jason, Houston, Texas, USA

Obama has a limited opportunity to effect the change that he has preached during the long and expensive election campaign. Realistically, Obama has 2 years to demonstrate his ability to turn Washington from the bitter divisiveness of the past 15 years. I wish him godspeed for the good of the US.

R. Charles Hazlett, Los Angeles, USA

I voted for McCain. We were in the Navy together. He had a tougher assignment. I attended the same High School that Jeremiah Wright and Bill Cosby attended.
Obama is the best natural politician since Bill Clinton.
We didn't know Cinton until he governed. We won't know Obama till he governs.

Dennis, Cheyenne, USA

If Obama handles governing as well as he did his campaign, then I think we will be alright. He has managed the neat trick of an "outsider" run for the White House without being beholden to every interest group on the left - his victory came from his own organization funded by millions of donors.

Jason, Dundee, OR, USA

As an Anglo-American (hi cousins!) & erstwhile southerner, I'm thrilled for Afro-America. I encourage all of my fellow hyphenated Americans to sit back and enjoy this fleeting moment of repose and unity. In January, we can go back to arguing about abortion, immigration, taxes, and foreign policy.

Andrew, Mystic, US

It will be instructive to see Obama's cabinet picks. That will be a strong indicator of whether he truly wishes to bring the country together or see it remain a nation of unreasonalbe partisan hacks on both sides.

Marco, Miami, USA

Well, I voted against Obama, and continue to be skeptical. (I use the American spelling here). Obama is a chameleon, who seems to change his stripes with the wind. But for the sake of this country, and the sake of the world, I truly hope that he works out. But I am not sanguine.

Charles, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

In a country where actors, body-builders and oil company CEO s are elected to highest offices of the nation, is it a surprise that an undistinguished lawyer with zero accomplishments to his credit is elected President?
The inevitable disillusionment with Obama will set in as quickly as was his rise.

NMB , San Francisco, CA, USA

I read the fear in your words. The consensus across US demographic groups appears rather to elect a vigorous man of impressive intelligence who has demonstrated the ability to attract skilled people to work alongside him to achieve a goal. Not unreasonable. Not delusional.

Birgite Bendixen, New York, US

We actually know very little about Obama (and, to be fair, the system made it in his interest to keep it that way). Lets hope he turns out to be what one hopes he can be, rather than what one fears...

Dave, Menlo Park, CA, USA