President Obama spoke to the world live from The White House on Wednesday afternoon (Oct 10). Taking the podium with a uplifting spirit, he took the time to help those in bewilderment of the 2016 presidential election results.
“Sometimes you lose an argument, sometimes you lose an election,” he said, with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. by his side. “But the path this country has taken has never been a straight line. We zig and zag.”
With his cheerful presence spreading to viewers, the POTUS spoke with conviction about the way we should feel as Americans. His sentiments ran deep as he urged all those against Trump to remain hopeful — and to never give up on our nation.
Read a transcript of his speech below.
President Obama: Good afternoon everybody.
Yesterday, before votes were tallied, I shot a video that some of you may have seen in which I said to the American people regardless of whihc side you were on in the election, regardless of whether your candidate won or lost, the sun would come up in the morning, and that is one bit of prognosticating that actually came true. The sun is up. I know everybody had a long night, I did as well.
I had a chance to talk to president-elect Trump last night, about 3:30 in the morning I think it was, to congratulate him on winning the election and I had a chance to invite him to come to the White House tomorrow and to talk about making sure there is a successful transition between our presidencies. Now it is no secret that the president-elect and I have some pretty significant differences.
But remember, eight years ago, President Bush and I had some pretty significant differences. But President Bush’s team could not have been more professional or more gracious in making sure that we had a smooth transition so that we could hit the ground running. One thing you realize quickly in this job is that the presidency and the vice presidency is bigger than any of us…
Obama: “I think of this job as being a relay runner.” pic.twitter.com/BeVIT18n5U
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) November 9, 2016
Obama discusses the importance of the democratic process in response to Donald Trump’s election win. pic.twitter.com/ohYl1iuYoQ
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) November 9, 2016