The Hill - Leading the News
President Bush on Saturday used his first post-election radio address to praise Democratic President-elect Barack Obama, saying that he “represents a triumph of the American story.”
Bush added that the Illinois senator’s victory is a “testament to hard work, optimism, and faith in the enduring promise of our nation.”
The president noted that the wartime transition of power will be the first in four decades and pledged that making it as seamless is possible would be a “priority for the rest of my time in office.”
Bush also pointed to other challenges facing Obama.
“Our country faces economic challenges that will not pause to let a new president settle in,” he stated, adding, “We’re in a struggle against violent extremists determined to attack us -- and they would like nothing more than to exploit this period of change to harm the American people.”
The president detailed steps he had taken to make sure that the transition is successful, such as “fully informing” Obama of any important decision he makes.
“Taken together, these measures represent an unprecedented effort to ensure continuity throughout the executive branch,” he stated.
Obama, in his first address as president-elect, also had kind words for Bush, saying that the current president “graciously offered his full support and assistance in this period of transition.
“Michelle and I look forward to meeting with him and the First Lady on Monday to begin that process,” Obama stated. “This speaks to a fundamental recognition that here in America we can compete vigorously in elections and challenge each other’s ideas, yet come together in service of a common purpose once the voting is done.”
No comments:
Post a Comment