In my view, this is what the world hopes that the new president will do: bring about a change in the way the U.S. will deal with the world, with respect and dignity, and yet work toward a better way of handling world affairs. Yes, the economic issues within the U.S. are overwhelming, but there can be no doubt that as domestic policy changes for the better, so too does the world's perception of the U.S. change. More importantly, as President Obama talks of a new America where wounds are to be healed, homes given a new hope, he will also be expected to talk of healing America's role in world affairs. Only when he is in the White House will we realize the extent of the mess that George W. Bush has created in world affairs.

If the economy hurt the McCain campaign, its approach to world affairs did, too. In contras, President Obama talked of leadership, change and respect on the world scene. The world does not need war-mongering, especially not from the world's only superpower; this is the message that will be heard most clearly. In a world where there is a serious dearth of world class statesmen, President Obama has the promise of really being one such leader on the world scene.

President Barack Obama has done more than just make history in winning the U.S. presidential election. He has brought hope for change that not only the United States, but also the rest of the world, badly needs. This election was not about race, and in fairness the more one followed his campaign one realized he rode above the typical race argument. He won this race on the basis of his policies and his promise of change.

This is monumental from many perspectives and this is what is so exciting about President Obama.