Faced with a financial crisis and with growing cynicism about party politics, we needed this. The US election campaign has been compelling, dignified and engaging.
That both candidates for president were to some extent outsiders has helped. As commentators have pointed out, president-elect Obama has defeated in turn the two most powerful political machines in the US: the Clintons and the Republicans.
Of course, money still talks. But Obama has raised the money he’s spent, mostly from small donations. His victory shows the groundswell in action, as well as reminding us of the power of rhetoric to effect change.
PR Studies 
Check out: http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638
The site says that he benefitted almost equally from small scale contributions and large donations. Still amazing – and a real demonstration of the power of social media!
Thank you Deborah: that is an example of transparency in action. There certainly are some major donors, though I was confused that Oleg Deripaska was missing from that list.
I felt completely euphoric when I heard the news yesterday, then switched on Prime Minister’s Questions and fell back to earth pretty sharply. Where’s our inspiratonal leader? And what’s the prognosis for change over here, either from political parties, or from a groundswell of popular opinion?
It certainly feels like something different is happening and let’s be honest the world needs it.
I am delighed Mr Obama won! Some of the viral videos they used in the campaign were truly brilliant.
I read somewhere that the average donation was $88. That is amazing considering the large donations that most politicians recieve. I’m sure Obama recieved some fairly hefty donations but to ballance that out he recieved many more small donations.