EVER been bored and fed up with five weeks of a general election in this country? If so, spare a thought for the Americans. The process of choosing a president takes around two years - give or take a month or two.

There's been frenzied excitement in the past week as the voters of Iowa and New Hampshire chose their Democrat and Republican nominees. Despite the freezing temperatures, the turnouts were impressive, electors galvanised by a huge desire for change, the Clinton and Obama effects and the fact that there's all to play for.

They may be watching from a distance, but Americans in Bournemouth already have a pretty good idea who they want in the Oval Office next. And it's not a Republican.

Harry Susser is a counsellor and psychotherapist. Originally from Pennsylvania, he has lived here for the past six years.

He says: "I was delighted Hillary Clinton won New Hampshire when all the polls suggested otherwise and she was being written off.

"I think both Clinton and Barack Obama can deliver the change we need and my personal preference is for us to have our first woman president.

"There's been a lot of hype and spin about Obama, who in my view is not the new JFK. However, the dream ticket would clearly be Clinton and Obama together."

The Reverend Dwayne Morgan is pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church in Boscombe. He lived in Dallas before coming to this country, but is from Oklahoma.

"It is shaping up to be a fascinating race although sometimes I think you guys have it right, getting your election done and dusted in a few weeks."

Mr Morgan likes the fiscal conservatism of the Republicans and the social liberalism of the Democrats.

"As the pastor of a predominantly gay church, it's no surprise that I should lean towards the Democrats because the Republicans don't have a great track record on gay rights.

"Bill Clinton was a good president and I think Hillary would be, too."

He isn't buying into Obamamania either, yet.

"I would feel uncomfortable voting for someone so inexperienced."

As an American living abroad, Mr Morgan says he gets a clearer world view, particularly about how others see the United States and what kind of president the country needs, especially with its reputation and image so tarnished.

Press spokesman for Bournemouth University, Charles Elder, will be voting for Clinton or Obama.

"One of the things I keep hearing from the candidates is change - but the Republicans don't seem to be able to describe what that change would be," he says.

He believes the excitement created by the primaries is good for American democracy and believes the eventual victor will be the person who visits the most states and connects personally with the voters.

"I come from Kansas and I think George Bush won in that state during the last election because he flew in to Wichita and made a speech. He was only there for a few hours but it was enough.

"Presidents don't visit everywhere and I'm only guessing, but I'd say he's probably been to Iraq more times than he's visited many states."