I`m using my 100th post to congratulate President Obama

* Acknowledges and bows to the applause heard all round.

Thank you everybody for helping me make my 100th post today. Without all my friends out there, I`d just be a lunatic chatting to himself on the internet.

I`d like to use this post to congratulate the USA for making Barack Obama your new president. As Hayley said in her earlier post it feels so out of place for us to have an opinion or a favourite for the US elections. I mean we are a very long way away.

Fact of the matter is that the result affects everybody in the world and I therefore feel like I can voice my opinion.

I have been an Obama supporter since he won the Democratic nomination from Hilary Clinton. Although I have been reticent to air my views on this site, I have aired it to everybody who cares to listen here at home. Obama ran a magnificent campaign. I feel the economic downturn did him a major favour because he certainly coped better with the stresses that it produced. I don`t think economic policy is John MnCain`s strong point and in the end it might have swayed voters Obama`s way.

Be that as it may, I am very happy that America made the right decision. You only have to look at the worldwide Oba"mania" to see that the USA now has somebody who will get people to work with rather than against them. The USA is the most important democracy in the world but they do need friends and I feel the election of President Obama will certainly help in that regard.

I must however take my hat of to John McCain. His speech was very gracious and I feel he did a wonderful job in trying to get the Republicans to accept the newly elected president. Is it just me or did we only get to see the real John McCain during his concession speech?

Which brings me to the acceptance speech of President Obama. How absolutely awesome was that? There is no doubt that the man has a wonderful gift when it comes to public speaking. I had goosebumps.

So once again, well done America. It was a big big moment, not only for you guys but for the world in general.

Breaking News

The Running Golfer has decided to enter the US Presidential Race by endorsing a candidate. The date for said endorsement will be the 1st October 2008.

A little heads up to Barack Obama (a follower of The Running Golfer +10) and John McCain (not a follower of The Running Golfer -10). I`ll be watching your every move and my opinion is easily swayed. Economic policy, Foreign policy and the length of your arms will all play vital roles in my endorsement of a candidate.

The endorsement will be based on a scientific system, especially designed by The Running Golfer and his advisors, HM, EM and RQ. Unfortunately the subtleties of the system cannot be made public but rest assured, it is scientific and it is a system. A fair result is guaranteed. What I can divulge are certain aspects that will count more than others. The following are high scoring areas but beware misters Obama and McCain, it can lose you a lot of points too:

1. Economic policy
2. Policy on David Beckham
3. Policy on Coke Zero
4. Policy on Fake Tans
5. Foreign policy
6. African policy (acknowledging that Africa exists earns a big bonus)
7. British or American version of the Office? (no incorrect answer, unless you don`t know either which will result in instant disqualification)

The following will lose you points:

1. If you or anybody on your staff can see Russia from their porch
2. Which MLB team you support (-10 if it is not the Red Sox)
3. If you or anybody on your staff has ever ordered the killing of Polar Bears
4. Which NFL team you support (-10 if it is not the Patriots - this is a trick question, patriotism should be the cornerstone of your campaign)
5. If Tom Cruise endorses you
6. Which English Premiership Football side you support (+20 if you said Man Utd, all other answers -10 and if you said Liverpool, instant disqualification)

The scale of loss depends on the weighting of the issue.

So there you have it. I will be watching CNN, CNBC and Bloomberg for any snippets that might mean make or break for my endorsement. I know this places massive pressure on you but only the strong will survive.

Good luck gentleman.