WASHINGTON, November 7 ( RIA Novosti) US President Barack Obama delivered a rousing victory speech to a raucous crowd of supporters following his reelection early Wednesday morning, saying his triumph in Tuesday’s presidential election means that “the task of perfecting our union moves forward.”
“Tonight in this election, you—the American people—reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts, that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come,” Obama told the crowd at his campaign headquarters in Chicago following his victory over Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
Obama said he had spoken with Romney earlier in the evening and congratulated the former governor of Massachusetts and his running mate, Paul Ryan, on a “hard-fought campaign.”
“We may have battled fiercely, but it’s only because we love this country deeply, and we care so deeply about its future,” Obama said.
Obama praised Romney and his family for their dedication to public service, drawing applause from the audience.
In his speech, Obama thanked all Americans who participated in Tuesday’s presidential election, regardless of which candidate they supported. He also alluded to the long lines that plagued polling stations throughout the nation.
“Whether you voted for the first time, or waited in line for a very long time—by the way, we have to fix that—whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone, whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference,” Obama said.
