Today's papers respond to the re-election of George Bush.

Guardian

Mr Bush faces a clear choice at home. He can treat his mandate as a blank cheque to govern in the interests of the conservative (and for conservative read, in many cases, anti-black) voters who backed him in such numbers... or he can recognise the greater wisdom and the greater long-term security that mutual respect and bipartisan reconciliation will provide to a United States, and to a wider world, in which the belief in America's manifest destiny is not shared with such fervour as it is among evangelical conservatives - or even shared at all.

FT

Ultimately, the key to Mr Bush's second term foreign policy may lie in his relations with Europe. His re-election will certainly stir anti-Atlanticist instincts - not least among French Gaullists, who will argue that it is high time for Europe to make alternative arrangements to NATO security links with the US. Any such siren voices should be resisted, for two reasons. The first is that, frankly, Europe has no other choice but to stay engaged with Washington, whoever is in charge there. The second reason is that there is at least a chance that Mr Bush's re-election will usher in a modification of the course he took in his first term.

Independent

Neither Mr Bush's record nor his campaign promises offer much hope of change in domestic or foreign policies. The "war on terror" will continue to dictate US spending and perpetuate injustices such as Guantanamo. Unless Mr Bush's attitude towards the outside changes, there will be little prospect of internationalising the war in Iraq. The US and Britain will have to continue bearing the brunt of the cost, and the ignominy, almost alone.

Times

The paradox of Mr Bush's endorsement at the polls is that he is now free of the constraints imposed by voters. He should consider this a liberation and an extraordinary opportunity. He can serve one more four-year term in Washington and has the capacity to shape his legacy like few American politicians before him. He must seize that chance. He can advance an imaginative agenda for himself and his party.

Telegraph

European leaders should not wait till next January to embrace the new, democratic Iraq. Mr Bush, for his part, is also likely to adopt a more conciliatory style in his second term - aware that his administration's public diplomacy has hitherto been its Achilles' heel. The president will want to banish the unjust accusation of unilateralism, but, as the leader of the free world, he needs to retain the flexibility to act speedily and decisively. Pre-emptive military force is a last resort, but a necessary one.

Mirror

With another four Bush years ahead the future looks desperate. For us in Britain it is particularly bad. If Tony Blair continues his sycophantic following of the president we will become still more isolated. The situation in Iraq is bad enough but Mr Bush wants to go after Iran next... Abraham Lincoln must be turning in his grave.

Mail

Our hope is that as a second term president, he will consider his place in history and learn from his mistakes. Who knows? He might prove more impressive than critics imagine. He will need to be. On the domestic front storm clouds are gathering over the American economy. Abroad, the Middle East is more volatile than ever.

Sun

The world is a safer place today with George W Bush back in the Oval Office. His re-election is bad news for terrorists everywhere. They know President Bush means it when he vows to root out terrorism wherever it exists.

Express

Despite the mess in Iraq, Bush might well now want to further his adventures in the Middle East. Believing that the American people have given him a renewed mandate, he may become more headstrong still and fall prey to those siren voices telling him to invade Iran or Korea or, at least, increase the US presence in Iraq. If he does, he is almost certain to call on more British troops to accompany American forces into the region... We have committed ourselves too far already. Blair must not wag his tail and acquiesce.