Hopes are high among the American public that the election of Barack Obama as President will herald a bright new future. Obama's consistent call for change has awoken a country where many people had lost faith in politics.

“There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build and threats to meet, alliances to repair,” said Obama.

In two months, Obama inherits two wars, a ten trillion dollar debt, growing unemployment and a sinking economy. The change campaign has worked – but has the momentum exceeded reality? 

In Obama's hometown of Chicago, statistics show 74,000 people are homeless. Some of them believe the President-elect will help relieve struggles plaguing low-income communities.

“He's going to help me get health care all kinds of stuff. He'll help me make it and survive. He can help poor people. People that ain't got nothing,” said one local man in Chicago.

However, there are sceptical voices too. “Do you think he's going to be able to do everything he promised? No he is not,” said another resident of Chicago. 

Meanwhile, during his historic acceptance speech, the President-elect tried to lower expectations.

“The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there,” he said.

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