World Rejoices as Barack Obama Wins Presidential Election

World leaders such as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and South African President Nelson Mandela expressed great joy and hope at the election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States and each reached out to personally congratulate the president-elect. At the governmental level, Sarkozy is hopeful that Obama's presence can help to heal the rift that has emerged between Europe and the US over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. America has consistently taken a fairly hard line with regard to its interests in the Middle East and has often stepped on toes diplomatically when attempting to achieve its international agenda.

Obama has spoken in his campaign about attempting to mend fractured relationships with our allies abroad and there is real hope that his message is more than simply empty campaign promises.

Mandela's message to Obama is one that speaks to people in every corner of the world, especially those who struggle on a daily basis to try to realize their dreams. Mandela emphasized the importance of Obama's victory as a beacon to people around the world that meaningful change is possible and that even seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome.

Kenya declared a public holiday in honor of Obama's victory and there were celebrations around the world that carried on into the wee hours of the morning as election results were broadcast from the United States.

Even the most enthusiastic Obama supporters understand that the most difficult work lies ahead. The world is facing perhaps its greatest financial crisis in history and there are two US-led wars currently in progress under the broader umbrella of a "War on Terror." And the world view of the US as a global leader has never been worse. The process of rebuilding the trust and goodwill that we have recently lost will take time. It took nearly eight years to erode and it will take several years to reclaim. Here's hoping that the positive momentum created by Barack Obama's election victory will carry him through the first difficult months of his presidency.