THE emotions were flowing, along with the tears. There was jumping, hugging, screaming, weeping and cheering when the screen flashed "Obama: Elected President".

The American Chamber of Commerce had organised an Election Watch Brunch for American expats in Singapore at the American Club, where they could watch the results of the election unfold, live in the US.

The ecstasy was irrepressible. Champagne bottles were popped, people broke into tears while others clasped their hands before their faces in happy disbelief. The lifesize cardboard figure of Obama that initially stood at the entrance of the room was towed in and showered with hugs, kisses and dozens of toasts from the delirious crowd.

Celebrating Democrats here in Singapore toasted to the victory of their candidate Senator Barack Obama who became the 44th President of the United States of America.
ST PHOTO: Terence Tan

The moment was too surreal.

Over 250 people gathered at the club to watch the elections from Singapore and each time the results from key "battleground states" flashed on the screen in blue and Obama's name in big, bold letters, the crowd went wild. It was obvious the room was filled with democrats and the few republicans there kept a low profile, while others left early, before the final results were out.

The republicans I spoke to after Obama won were visibly disappointed but said they expected him to win.

"I'm fine with it. None of this is unexpected. Any McCain supporter came to terms with this reality a long time ago," Mr Bill Brill, 35, told The Straits Times.

In fact, some republicans like Mr Charles Du, 28, even voted for Obama: "I voted for Obama partly because of what he represents from a global perspective. He understands the new economy."

Across the room, there was a unanimous sentiment that America's overwhelming vote for Obama represents a reconciliation between America and the world. They felt that that America had lost its political and economic clout in the last eight years.

"But Obama is going to help America repair the broken relationships with the rest of the world from the last eight years. We feel a part of the world now, once again," Susie Margolia, 37, who has spent 2 years in Singapore, said.

One particularly emotional Mrs Linda Roberts, 51, could hardly hold her tears back as she told The Straits Times: "This is a historical moment. I grew up in the 50s and 60s in the United States and I couldn't even go to a park or restaurants or even the bathroom with my black friends."

Today, America voted in its first Black President and it has sent out an incredible signal to the rest of the world - that this is a different America, and one that is willing and ready to look beyond the colour of a person's skin.

Indeed some Singaporeans were skeptical about whether Americans would actually vote an African American for president.

Ms Patricia Reed told The Straits Times how a taxi driver wanted to bet S$2,000 that McCain would win. "Americans won't vote for a black man," he told her.

Well, today America proved him and the rest of the skeptics in Singapore wrong. Unfortunately, Ms Reed won't be getting her $2,000 any time soon.