Moments after democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton gives a misty eyed concession speech to America and the world, current Commander-in-chief, President Obama spoke about the importance of crossing party lines and using this time to unify as one America.
Obama addressed the nation with a statement delivered from the White House Rose Garden around 12:15 pm on Wednesday to a sea of reporters.
“Now, everybody is sad when their side loses an election, but the day after, we have to remember that we’re actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. We’re not Democrats first. We’re not Republicans first. We are Americans first.”
“We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country. That’s what I heard in Mr. Trump’s remarks last night. That’s what I heard when I spoke to him. Directly. And I was heartened by that.”
Pres Obama called for unification after #DonaldTrump was elected president & said he invited President-elect Trump to visit the White House pic.twitter.com/USV9va8pAQ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 9, 2016
The President delivered the speech while standing next to Vice President, Joe Biden in an effort to bridge any and all racial, social, economic and political divide caused by election 2016.
Following speech, @POTUS Obama and @VP Biden leave the Rose Garden with their arms around each other. pic.twitter.com/zgJH23gI5P
— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 9, 2016
The speech also cemented the importance for all Americans to build the framework we would like to see–together–as one nation and reiterating the importance to stay positive.
President Obama comforts the nation after Trump wins the presidency: "Don’t get cynical": https://t.co/OhjycdXdv1 pic.twitter.com/bIQEw0nLls
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) November 9, 2016
Adding that, right now the country needs “A sense of unity, a sense of inclusion, a respect for our institutions, our way of life, rule of law and a respect for each other. I hope that (Trump) maintains that spirit throughout this transition, and I certainly hope that’s how his presidency has a chance to begin.”
A sentiment that was delivered after Obama vocalized the graciousness, former President Bush showed him eight years ago, when the democrat first came in to office.
Explaining the reasoning behind this, is that, “we are now all rooting for a success and uniting and leading the country.”
President Obama just gave us the reality check we all need #TrumpPresident pic.twitter.com/L4Hl6x4qQa
— Mashable (@mashable) November 9, 2016
“A peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy. And over the next few months we are going to show that to the world.”
“I have said before, I think of this job as being a relay runner. You take the baton. You run your best race. And hopefully by the time you hand it off, you’re a little further ahead. You’ve made a little progress. And I can say that we’ve done that and I want to make sure that handoff is well executed, because ultimately we’re all on the same team.”
People are feeling grateful for this Obama-Biden moment https://t.co/tPf1xRwYvh pic.twitter.com/2TsXC9dPOs
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) November 9, 2016
Obama and wife Michelle took to the road to campaign tirelessy for the democratic presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton who won in popular vote but lost the electoral count needed to seal a term as President of the United States.
Republican President Donald J. Trump and the Republican run house and senate was confirmed on Tuesday night. Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan attributing the big wins on Tuesday to Trump’s historic and unprecedented win.
.@SpeakerRyan: "This is the most incredible political feat I have seen in my lifetime." #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/A09uvrHDtR
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 9, 2016
Earlier on Wednesday, President Obama called Donald Trump to congratulated him on the victory.
Social Media has also reacted to Obama’s speech and Trump’s upset in the 2016 election, even swaying voters across party lines to create a “New America”.
I promise to show Trump the same level of Respect that Republicans showed President Obama & his family. #ImStillWithHer #NotMyPresident pic.twitter.com/8xNE8049zV
— BCarrz (@bcarrz) November 9, 2016
NOW: Josh Earnest: "There are a lot of people who voted for Obama who voted for Trump in 2016… I don't have an explanation for that" pic.twitter.com/ur1OwvZSU1
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/marwilliamson/status/796411060572057600