Obama victory hailed across political spectrum

BARACK OBAMA’S sweeping and historic victory was hailed across the Irish political spectrum yesterday.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen led tributes to the US president-elect, hailing his emphatic win as a watershed moment for America as he invited Mr Obama to visit the home of his forebears in Moneygall, Offaly.

The election of the first African-American president had created a “a palpable sense of history” said Mr Cowen. “We are all reminded of those who struggled for civil rights in America for so many years, as well as all of those who work for justice and peace around the world today,” he said.

Straying well beyond the usual diplomatic niceties on such occasions, Mr Cowen described Mr Obama’s success as a “day of hope” for the world.

However, Mr Cowen was keen to side-step worries Mr Obama’s economic policies may damage American investment in the republic.

The Taoiseach said he believed campaign comments by Mr Obama urging American firms to bring their jobs and investments back home to the US were aimed at tax havens and not sophisticated economies like the Republic.

The Taoiseach stressed that the two nations had a mutually beneficial economic relationship with about 70,000 Americans working for Irish parent companies, while 96,000 people in the republic were employed directly by US firms.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore warmly welcomed Mr Obama’s victory, but expressed fears over its possible impact on Irish jobs. “My only concern about the new president is that some of the tax policies he advocated during the campaign may make it more difficult for US companies to invest in Ireland and thus jeopardise jobs in this country.

“The Irish Government will need to make early contact with the new administration on this issue,” he said.

President Mary McAleese echoed Mr Obama’s campaign slogan, describing his election as “transformational in its power and scope”.

Ms McAleese added it served as “a beacon of hope, not just in America, but around the world”.

Green leader John Gormley praised Mr Obama’s acceptance speech emphasis on environmental issues.

“He has an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate global leadership,” he said.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the Obama win had given a voice to people who had often felt shut out of the electoral process.

“Mr Obama epitomises the hopes of a new generation and the realisation of lost opportunities for older people.

“Most of all, he has tapped into and redirected the frustration of millions of people into the Democratic cause,” he said.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said Mr Obama’s election “shows in politics that change is possible, and people everywhere will be mindful of the long history of African-Americans and of all those who struggled for justice and fairness”.

Mr Cowen said he expected his first meeting with the new president to be on the annual visit to Washington DC by the Taoiseach for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.