Changing America - Conservatism costs us dear

AMERICA’S president-elect, Barack Obama, continues to surprise.

Even though the appointment of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state has been flagged for some weeks her elevation is in stark contrast to what a defeated candidate could expect in our political culture. Mr Obama’s reappointment of defence secretary Robert Gates would be unimaginable in our tribal system.

Making the announcements in Chicago yesterday he emphasised that “the time has come for a new beginning, a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century.”