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America votes for 'change' - but what does that mean?

Ros Atkins Ros Atkins | 14:31 UK time, Wednesday, 8 November 2006

Tuesday's broadcast from WCPN in Cleveland
Hi there. We finished an extraordinary day yesterday at the beautiful and enormous Public Auditorium in Cleveland.

That's where , Ohio's new Democrat Sentator, was holding his election night rally. The tv cameras were lined up and a few hundred activists decked in red, white and blue laughed together and pinned on badges saying 'I'm partying with the winner'.

After 30 minutes, we weren't sure why we were waiting so long as we knew Mr Brown had defeated Republican Mike DeWine, but then Mark Uryicki of pointed out we were waiting for the local news bulletin at 11 o'clock.

It was worth the wait for the entrance alone.... suddenly a black backdrop decended on the stage, and then through it came Mr Brown will his family, friends and advisors while classical music worthy of royalty played and confetti canons sent thousands and thousands of pieces of paper raining down on us. A half empty hall with paper plates and half finished cheese selections suddenly looked like the most glamourous place in town. These folks know how to look good on TV that's for sure.

Then Sherrod Brown stood up and his speech left me thinking about . We heard a number of people in our say they were voting Democrat because they wanted change. Turn on the television this morning and every station is saying America has 'chosen change'. , the West Coast Democrat who will lead Congress now, said 'America has voted for change'. And so did Sherrod Brown last night. He also said his victory was a victory for 'progressive values', for what he 'believes in', for 'social and economic justice' and for 'a new policy in Iraq'. All as far as I could see sincerely said, certainly rapturously received by his supporters.

The thing is this though - I have been here since Saturday. Not very long of course, but I've not done much apart from talk American politics and I've heard plenty of people passionately argue against what George Bush and the Republicans stand for. But I can count on one hand the number of people I've heard outline a detailed alternative. They know they don't want Bush but what do they want?

There's two possibilities here - one is that this is a tactic to win votes - the more vague the Democrats are about policy, the fewer frustrated Republicans they'll put off making the switch. The other is that the detail just isn't there. (Whichever it is, they must know what they're doing as the Democrats have control of the House and the control of the Senate is hanging on two results - one in Virginia, one in Montana. Both are .)

But now America has change, at least in Congress, I know a lot of you want to know what exactly America is going to get.

A lady from WCPN has just put her head round the door to say hello and to add that we're expecting an even bigger audience for today's show. Cleveland is a Democrat town this morning and it's going to be the perfect chance to see if we can get some meat on the bones. So here's what I'd like to hear from you today...

If you voted for change, now you've got it, what do you expect from a Democrat-controlled Congress. One gentleman came up to me after yesterday's show and said 'I love the way people can't get away without beiong specific about their opinions on WHYS'. The same will apply today I can promise you - let's hear exactly what you think you're going to get.

If you're a Republican, how would you like George Bush to approach the last two years of his Presidency? 'Partnership or partisanship?' to steal Nancy Pelosi's phrase.

And if you're not American, has yesterday's vote changed your mind about what Americans believe in? Give us your perspective looking in.

Right I have to go and record some WHYS trails for WCPN (note to all the other stations that broadcast the show, we're happy to do this for you as well!) and then make a brief appearance on Dan Moulthrop's show as he'll be co-hosting with me later. I did the same yesteerday and was flabercasted when people started ringing in to talk to me. We've been humbled by the praise and enthusiasm we've received here.

I'll speak to you at 18GMT... if you've questions or comments for the people here then please leave them here.

Speak to you later.

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