Here in Oz, I'm really pleased. I have had my doubts about the way politics works, both here and there, and the doubts multiplied during the last phases of the campaign. But most of those doubts are now replaced by a sense of hope, for y'all as well as for the way that the US can now be respected around the world.

The sense of relief, others' as well as my own, when Obama was declared the winner was palpable. McCain's concession speech was remarkable; "gracious" doesn't do it justice. And Obama's was truly inspiring. Cynical idealist that I am, there were tears lurking behind my eyes as his cadences rolled out.

The "Yes we did!" is all very well and a superb achievement, for all the reasons mentioned above but, to me, the really important mantra is "Yes we can!" If the sense of that can be maintained and acted on, it won't just be the US that ends up a better place.

Congratulations to youse all.

Cheers, Rowan