World Reacts With Open Arms, Eye on Reconciliation

The election of Barack Obama has been watched around the world, and pundits from all over are weighing in.

• In Germany's Der Spiegel, Gabor Steingart says the president-elect's genius is his "tone of political romanticism." Americans warmed to his message of sympathy and reflection—and made the whole world an offer of reconciliation.

• Dutch writer Ian Buruma writes in the Guardian that "there is something odd about the European mania for a black American politician." But despite recent years, the Continent has always loved the States, and Obama reminds them of the glory of the "extraordinary republic."
• Britain's political leaders are already grabbing at Obama's coattails, Andrew Grice observes in the Independent. Gordon Brown is positioning himself as a trans-Atlantic economic adviser, while opponent David Cameron is grasping for the mantle of change.
• And in Haaretz, Aluf Benn writes that last night's victory, aided by a strong turnout among Jews, will embolden Tzipi Livni in her race to become prime minister.

(More Barack Obama stories.)