Former President George W. Bush spoke with Presdident-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to congratulate them and called for Americans to unite behind them.
“Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country,” Bush said in a statement today.
While Bush recognized Trump’s right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, he said the election “was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear.”
He called on Americans to come together “for the sake of our families and neighbors, and for our nation and its future.”
Bush won election by a razor-thin margin in the electoral college over then vice president Al Gore in the 2000 election that featured a contentious recount in Florida.
He’s mostly stayed away from public comments on the 2020 campaign and from politics in general.
Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their election victory yesterday.
“America has spoken and democracy has won. Now we have a President-Elect and Vice President-Elect who will serve all of us and bring us all together. Congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on your momentous victory!” tweeted Clinton.
America has spoken and democracy has won. Now we have a President-Elect and Vice President-Elect who will serve all of us and bring us all together. Congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on your momentous victory!
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) November 7, 2020
“Rosalynn joins me in congratulating our friends President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,” Carter said in a statement. “We are proud of their well-run campaign and look forward to seeing the positive change they bring to our nation.”
Former President Obama also congratulated his former No. 2, saying, “We’re fortunate that Joe’s got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way.”
“I know he’ll do the job with the best interests of every American at heart, whether or not he had their vote. So I encourage every American to give him a chance and lend him your support,” he added.
Biden will be the nations 46th president beginning on January 20, 2021.