Barack Obama had a unique opportunity to unite Americans and he has displayed this by attracting so many voters to the polls, the US Ambassador to Malta, Molly Bordonaro, said yesterday.
"I am a Republican, and a political appointee, but this was a good day for America," she said.
She was speaking at her residence in Attard, two hours after the victorious Democratic candidate, Mr Obama, made his acceptance speech in Chicago.
Ms Bordonaro felt Mr Obama's speech was inspirational and his campaign reached out to people in a unique way, emanating hope and sending the right message.
"Even those who did not vote for him are proud of this historic moment and are now looking for common ground, rather than areas of disagreement."
She said that, although his campaign was masterfully crafted, his strength was his leadership. He was able to touch a chord with people and give America what it was hungry for: hope and change.
Asked about the role race had played in the campaign, Ms Bordonaro said she was proud that Americans made history by voting for the first African-American President. Symbolically, she added, Mr Obama's appointment could help give more representation to minority groups.
After almost three years living in Malta, Ms Bordonaro and her family will now be packing their bags and leaving in the spring.
"This has been such an amazing experience and it is sad to leave. We found a wonderful home here and lots of friends, who we will treasure for life."
She was proud of the programmes and treaties she helped put into place to improve the relations between the US and Malta.
In congratulating Mr Obama, the Nationalist Party said it hoped the US would continue the fight against international terrorism, adding that military intervention should be "ethical".
It urged the US to remove the death penalty and expressed reservations over practices at Guantanamo Bay. The PN augured that the Obama Presidency would give a boost to the international economy.
It pointed out that Malta-US relations had improved substantially under the administration of President George W. Bush, with the signing of a double taxation agreement, Malta's inclusion in the visa waiver programme and assistance to Customs over immigration.
It hoped relations would be further strengthened over the coming years.
Labour leader Joseph Muscat sent a letter to Mr Obama congratulating him. He said this was a historic moment, which was welcomed by those who believed everyone should have the opportunity to succeed and that the environment and climate change were not "just trendy topics".
"Your election is welcome news for all those young women and men who believe and hope for a better way of doing things; a way that goes beyond outdated partisan and divisive politics."
Alternattiva Demokratika also congratulated Mr Obama with chairman Arnold Cassola saying he hoped this would be the start of a new era in transatlantic relations.
"We hope Mr Obama sticks to his promises, namely that he will end the war in Iraq, closes Guantanamo, restores habeas corpus and takes a leadership role together with the EU in combating the common threats of the 21st century: nuclear weapons and terrorism, climate change and poverty, genocide and disease," he said.