Reactions from both sides of the political aisle are pouring in after former Vice President Joe Biden (D) officially won the 2020 presidential election.
In a statement on Sunday, former President George W. Bush (R) said, “I just talked to the President-election of the United States Joe Biden. I extended my warm congratulations and thanked him for the patriotic message he delivered last night.”
“I also called Kamala Harris to congratulate her on her historic election to the vice presidency,” he added.
He went on to note that while he has political differences, “I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has the opportunity to lead and unify our country.”
“The President-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can.”
Read the statement below:
Fmr. President George W. Bush becomes the most prominent Republican to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden.
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) November 8, 2020
Bush says he spoke with Biden today & "extended my warm congratulations and thanked him for the patriotic message he delivered last night." He also spoke with Harris pic.twitter.com/EMagXR0y2a
In his first speech since winning the election, Biden vowed to be a “president who seeks not to divide but unify. Who doesn’t see red states and blue states, only sees the United States.”
Bush also said, “I want to congratulate President Trump and his supporters on a hard-fought campaign. He earned the votes of more than 70 million Americans — an extraordinary political achievement. They have spoken, and their voices will continue to be heard through elected Republicans at every level of government.”
Additionally, he praised the record number of votes cast in the election as a “positive sign of the health of our democracy and a reminder to the world of its strength.”
Finally, Bush called on Americans to “come together for the sake of our families and neighbors, and for our nation and its future.”
“There is no problem that will not yield to the gathered will of a free people,” he added.
