Thought the BBC coverage was tame – typical moment seemed to be Dimbleby cutting discussion off just as things got interesting to go to outside broadcast that then didn’t work. Badly organised, thin compared to US networks.

“It’s Web 2.0 in your living room — and it makes me wish I could Brillo-pad the “vision” out of “television.”"

“As the polls closed in California this morning, Europeans from Poland to Portugal broke out the champagne for Barack Obama’s landslide victory — an outcome that at the same time robbed many of their preconceived notions of America as a place that preaches racial harmony and inclusion in word alone. There was also a palpable, if sparsely expressed, sense of envy in America’s electoral feat. No European nation has ever elevated a racial minority to its highest office — and isn’t likely to anytime soon.”

“Americans placed their faith in Barack Obama today, turning their backs on a past of slavery and segregation and electing the first African-American to the US presidency.”

“If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,” said Harry Truman.

“This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can.”

In a lovely video Matt catches spontaneous dancing in the San Francisco streets after Obama’s election. Extraordinary scenes.