A Bermudian who has been involved in Illinois politics for the past decade, yesterday recalled a chance meeting with President-elect Barack Obama at a work-related fundraiser a few years ago.

Tonita (Eversley) LeShore, said she was so impressed with the speech the newly-elected Senator made, she went up and introduced herself to him shortly after.

"I saw him at the conference and I went up after he had spoken and told him how impressed I was," the former Devonshire resident said. "I was impressed with what he wanted do for the community in the State of Illinois. He came out and wanted to know how he could help with his districts. I told him to just lend their support to us when we seek grants from the federal government.

"It was the genuineness of what he wanted to do that got me. I wasn't sure we were going to get a politician who is not about selfishness and himself."

Ms LeShore, who wears numerous hats in her work for the Mayor of Bellwood in Illinois including grants manager and director of community development, said the meeting encouraged her to become more involved in US politics. When Sen. Obama was one of eight candidates named in the Democratic primaries last year, she joined the activist group MoveOn.org, to help where she could.

She was in Indiana canvassing for the presidential nominees last month and yesterday worked a phone bank for a couple of hours, reminding the public to vote.

All this from a woman who readily admits she never really got involved in politics in Bermuda.

Asked about the political climate in the United States yesterday, she said: "Very pumped up. (Illinois is) predominately a Democratic state and I am an election judge so I helped count the early votes which had over 5,000 people turn out – more than usual.

"This place (the Mayor's office) was rammed every day, day in and day out."

Regardless of Sen. Obama's election results, Ms LeShore said her excitement stemmed from the fact that a black man had been able to reach that level of politics in the US.

"Some great strides have been put forward in the primary. We were talking about eight...and an African American was the last one standing," she said.

"Whether or not they went to the polls and voted for Barack Obama or John McCain to be President, the country has come so far in race relations that I know it will not be a step back.

"When I lived in Bermuda I never voted. I never got involved in the political process. It's more open and people are more receptive (in the US).

"People don't mind if you disagree with their politics. Of course you will have Democrats against Republicans but you are not wrong for your side.

"If you are not PLP or UBP then you don't think you have a voice and that also depends on the ruling party of the time.

"Even if they (the PLP) are a black party they have to respond to the rest of the people. They have to govern objectively. I am very upset by the current political climate in Bermuda.

"Barack was able to do what no presidential candidate (before) was able to do. He has been able to tap into every culture, race and social status in this country."