THE head of Bermuda's campaign to elect Senator Barack Obama as President has spoken out on the eve of next week's historic election, urging US expats and locals alike to "take this moment seriously".

Amani Flood, head of Bermuda4Barack, told the Mid-Ocean News that the local Obama group had seen "tremendous" support since its January inception, raising funds and awareness of the Democratic candidate among US expat voters.

Ms Flood ¿ a US citizen and long-time Bermuda resident ¿ added that she is confident Bermuda's international business sector would survive an Obama presidency, despite reports in the media of his intention to close the "tax loophole".

"I personally don't have that concern," Ms Flood said.

"I am not an economist, so speak from a layman's point of view. Bermuda is resilient ¿ we have to see what happens. Maybe we need to reinvent ourselves."

She added that Bermudains should "think bigger" than the local economy and realise that the next President ¿ whether Senator Obama or Senator McCain ¿ will be acting in the best interest of the US, therefore the global marketplace.

"The US is intrinsically linked to Bermuda's financial success," she said.

"I don't think it's as simple as 'one candidate will close the tax loophole and one will not'. America is facing a difficult financial challenge, and repercussions will be felt worldwide.

"We need to think bigger than Bermuda ¿ we're global citizens. Our co-dependence is evident ¿ the US remains a superpower. I don't think Obama will slash and burn ¿ he is pragmatic and intelligent. When he turns his eye to Bermuda, he'll do the right thing. That treaty has to run its course, and I am optimistic."

Ms Flood established Bermuda4Barack early this year after learning of the Illinois senator's candidacy for the first time.

"I only learned about his campaign in about January," she said. "He'd started campaigning in mid-to-late 2007, but I'm here in Bermuda and I haven't really participated in a US election. I had the TV on and he was making a speech.

"He really grabbed my attention ¿ I thought, 'this guy is really something.' Once I got tuned in, I learned more about him and was more and more impressed. From the moment I heard him speak, I thought: 'here's our next President'. I was so jazzed about it that I wanted to get the word out."

Since then, Ms Flood has hosted a launch party at local sports bar Flanagans, developed a mailing list of Bermuda-based supporters, and brought back paraphernalia from the US for interested Bermuda residents, including Obama T-shirts, buttons and banners. She noted a "tremendous" amount of interest in these items, adding that she still gets approached in the street when she wears anything bearing the senator's image or campaign logo.

"They'll be collectors' items," she said. "Win or lose, it's an historic election. We have the first black man about to be elected, but it was historic for women too, with the first real female contender. It's very interesting on a lot of levels; there's something for everyone."

Ms Flood noted that both born Bermudians and Americans living on the island have expressed interest in helping Senator Obama get elected. Due to strict laws making campaign donations from foreigners illegal, she has had to find other outlets for allowing Bermudians to show their support for Senator Obama.

"I spoke to Obama's campaign representatives in Washington, DC, and they've been very supportive," she said. "They have an expat branch. They had to let me know that non-US citizens can't contribute to a campaign, or even actively solicit contributions.

"I had to make sure our Bermudian friends and supporters did not campaign. I directed many of them to Neva Lewis, a young Bermudian student who has been invited to attend the Inauguration thanks to her work with a young leadership group. She had to raise money for a ball gown and other expenses, and I think she has."

Ms Flood does not buy into the notion often mooted by right-wing media outlets in the US, that Obama's popularity is due to his charisma rather than his policies.

"I believe it's a combination of politics and personality," she said.

"Anyone who has investigated his political position, if a Democrat, should be pleased with his platform. He is very charismatic ¿ he has become an icon, a figure in history. He's made his mark on the world. He's an excellent orator, and makes you believe. I have hope again ¿ hope in politics and in human potential.

"There is an e-mail going around called 'If the world could vote' that includes an informal online tally showing the world's opinion. It is overwhelmingly blue for Obama ¿ something like 98 per cent! Of course, it's informal.

"But the media coverage has shown worldwide enthusiasm ¿ everyone has their own reasons. He appears a family man, and his record is squeaky clean ¿ they've looked under every rock, and if there was dirt they would've found something! Everyone likes the good guy." As the election season draws to a close, Ms Flood is confident that a large number of Bermuda's estimated 8,500 American residents have cast their votes by postal ballot.

"Absolutely, American expats are voting," she said.

"They're very excited about voting. At first, during the primaries, there was some contention between Hillary Clinton supporters and Barack Obama supporters.

"But everyone has been supporting Obama quite willingly. I made some effort to move the process along. While the US Consulate cannot be involved in any sort of campaign, they gave me general information on how to register to vote, and how the postal ballot works. I disseminated the information."

She encourages Bermuda residents, whether local, American or otherwise, to consider hosting 'watch parties' on election night, this coming Tuesday. She will be holding one for members of Bermuda4Barack, but hopes others will take over local bars ¿ or each other's living rooms ¿ to watch the votes come in.

"The whole idea is to get together and celebrate with people," she said.

"Why sit and watch it alone? You want to be able to cheer and boo when necessary! Take a day off work ¿ it's going to be a long night. I'm so excited, it wouldn't be fair on my boss ¿ I've taken the day off, and the following day to sleep in. We have to take this moment seriously ¿ let's be involved. Let's not stand on the sidelines."