Politicians, former diplomats and friends reaction to Barack Obama's election win

Politicians, former diplomats and friends reaction to Barack Obama's election win; Westminster: EXT Nick Clegg MP (Liberal Democrat Leader) interview SOT - need heart of stone not to be affected by Obama being elected as president of America / is historic moment / triumph of democracy over cynicism / so much cynicism about politics / to see so many Americans come out and vote in larger numbers than they have done in decades was great thing - will be difficult (to live up to expectations) / hard work starts now and no doubt he will disappoint some people some of the time / he's aware of that which is why his speech last night was quite low key and not as triumphalist as it might have been - his election doesn't come moment too soon because are huge challenges we face in this country which world faces - climate change, economic recession, collective security, all of which we cannot deal with on our own / all require enlightened, positive, engaged leadership from American president / that's what I hope Obama will provide (what does it mean for people of Britain?) - he also stands for greater fairness in America / that is why I am supporter of his proposal to cut taxes of vast majority of Americans on low and middle incomes by asking the wealthy to pay more / its exactly what I think we should do in this country / in foreign policy will clearly be step change, he wants troops out of Iraq and wants to step up number of troops in Afghanistan / also in terms of domestic policy, how to make Britain a fairer place and lower taxes on ordinary families, he has lot to teach us (on closening of special relationship) - will see evolution in special relationship / special relationship has roots in history, has some meaning still but world is changing so fast and as China, Brazil, India emerging as global superpowers, EU increasingly block in its own right, special relationship forged in aftermath of last world war will have to continue to change (NB: police sire...