By Evan Short

evan.short@meathpost.com

The international interest in the American Presidential Race has reached fever pitch, and anyone who thought that US politics would only interest citizens of that country need only look at the 200,000 people who turned out in Berlin this summer to listen to Barack Obama.
Speaking at the recent Democratic National Convention, Obama’s latest speech was directed foursquarely at America however, but has been hailed as a triumph around the world nonetheless.
One Meath man better placed than most to rate his performance than most was Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, who as an invited guest in Denver had a ringside seat for one of the most exciting political races in recent memory.
Speaking to the Meath Post, Minister Dempsey said that Obama delivered on his early promise.
“(Barack Obama) is very impressive, I have to say. He has great presence, great delivery.
“I have to say the first ten minutes I was beginning to say, ‘now, are we just going to hear more of the same kind of rhetoric or is he going to be a bit more specific’, but I have to say that as he got into the speech he was more specific. He spelled out a little bit clearer what he was talking in terms of tax policy and so on so it was a very polished performance.”
Taking time out of his family holiday to visit the DNC, the Minister said it was a great experienced for a self-confessed “political junkie.”
“I would have an interest in the American system - I think if you are involved in politics at all its hard not to be interested in America because it has such a profound affect on the world.”