After weeks of campaigning on behalf of democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, President Obama last night addressed the nation following Donald Trump’s shock victory.
The outgoing president, with Vice President Joe Biden by his side, urged the nation to unite and says he will welcome the president-elect to the White House today.
“We are now all rooting for success in uniting and leading the country,” Obama said .
“The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy and we’re going to show that to the world,” he said, adding that the presidency is bigger than any one person.
“Everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember that we are all actually one team. We are not Democrats first, we are not Republicans first, we are Americans first.
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“We’re patriots first … we all want what’s best for this country.”
In Donald Trump’s victory speech, he spoke of the need to come together and “bind the wounds of division” and Obama expressed his hopes that the incoming president sticks to his word, and that the people give him the chance to lead.
“That’s what our country needs … I hope that he maintains that spirit throughout this transition and I certainly hope that’s how his presidency has a chance to begin.”
“You have to stay encouraged. Don’t get cynical. Fighting for what is right is important. Don’t ever think that you can’t make a difference.”
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Obama also spoke about how proud he is of Hillary Clinton, and the amazing message her candidacy has sent.
“I could not be prouder of her. She has lived an extraordinary life of public service. She was a great first lady. She was an outstanding senator for the state of New York. And she could not have been a better secretary of state.
“I’m proud of her. A lot of Americans look up to her. Her candidacy and nomination was historic and sends a message to our daughters all across the country that they can achieve at the highest levels of politics. And I’m absolutely confident that she and President Clinton will continue to do great work for people here in the United States and all around the world.”
Watch the full speech below:
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