US ex-pats up all night in Gloucestershire
BARACK Obama's return to power kept US ex-pats up most of the night in Gloucestershire.
The 44th president of the United States of America also won over voters in Gloucester, Massachusetts where Republican candidate Mitt Romney is a former governor.
New York-born Stroud musician Ben Kritikos was relieved at Romney's defeat, if not Obama's victory.
"In some ways, in the first four years he could have done a lot more," said Ben, who last home in the US was in Connecticut 10 years ago.
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"I think people voted more for not Romney, than for Obama.
"Obama said he would close Guantanamo Bay, drone attacks continue, and he has solidified legislation that makes it possible to detain people without trial."
He said Romney's views on equal rights and foreign policy were a major concern for him and many other voters.
In Gloucester, Mass., votes for Obama totalled 9,680 (63%), while Romney polled 5,511 (36%).
And the vote in the east coast state went Obama's way, with 1.8 million votes to Romney's 1.1m.
Gloucestershire-born US resident Vivienne Nicholls said local elections in her home town of Spokane in Washington state, in the north west of the USA were more important to her.
Her eldest son Brandon has just turned 21, and is to embark on a PhD study in to HIV
"I am still a British citizen but I have a legal alien status, so I don't get to vote," said Vivienne, who made a surprise trip to see her family in Quedgeley.
"The result is OK. I was kind of leaning towards Romney.
"What matters more to me is what happens in Washington state and what will affect my family."
Chris Hyde, from South Carolina, said he was pleased Mr Obama had been re-elected.
The 41-year-old serving with the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) in Innsworth, said: "I'm glad Obama won, as I think he deserves another four years.
"I think he has done a good job of representing the US. I think Romney is a very confident person and he made some good points, but at the same time there was a part of me that wanted Obama to have more time."
Comments
by Lord_Gaga_
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 9:06PM
“what else did you agree with?
the tea party is still going, a lot of yanks are loonies”
by MistyBuff
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 6:25PM
“Twice I've agreed with you today... Most irregular! Not sure if you've gone soft in your old age or I have?!
Watched it. My heart was in my mouth for a while there. Well done America! Still amazed that so many DID vote for Rmoney though. *Shudders*”
by Lord_Gaga_
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 5:05PM
“for once the yanks got it right”