The jubilant cries of Chicago residents cheering on hometown
boy Barack Obama and his mandate for change will ring in the
ears of former Dunedin man Leigh Alderton for years to come.
Mr Obama, a Michigan senator, gave his victory speech as the
first African-American to be elected President of the United
States at Chicago's Grant Park, last night.
Mr Alderton watched the victory speech from an apartment
balcony, during an election party with friends, overlooking
the hundred-thousand throng cheering on the new
president-elect.
"The overwhelming message from people here is that they
wanted change," the 31-year-old international market manager
for drinks company Pernod-Ricard said.
Mr Alderton has lived in Chicago for two years and said it
was easy to get caught up in the election campaign.
"I would have liked to vote. And I would have voted for
Obama," he said.
A festive mood of celebration had washed over Chicago last
night, he told the Otago Daily Times.
Jubilant supporters had begun to party throughout the
afternoon as Mr Obama's election lead strengthened and the
pendulum of votes swung overwhelmingly in the Democrats'
favour.
The American media had reported that Mr Obama was able to
galvanise voters in record numbers.
Mr Alderton believed it wasn't hard to see why.
"When he speaks, people listen . . . you can't help but pay
attention to what he says."
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