Washington - Republican John McCain quickly conceded defeat
in Tuesday's election, congratulating Democrat Barack Obama for his
historic victory and urging Americans to help the new president meet
the country's challenges.
Speaking from his campaign headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona,
McCain told his supporters to cast aside differences with Obama and
the Democrats. McCain, 72, said he telephoned Obama, 47, a few
minutes earlier to congratulate Obama and his family.
'I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be
my next president,' McCain said in an address delivered within a few
minutes of the closing of polls on the West Coast, when the outcome
was obvious.
Obama had quickly captured enough states to easily top the
threshold of 270 votes in the Electoral College, making him the first
African-American president.
'We have come to the end of a long journey,' McCain told
supporters. 'The American people have spoken, and they have spoken
clearly.'
Obama prevailed in the election after capturing Ohio, Florida,
Virginia, New Mexico and Iowa, all states won by President George W
Bush in 2004. Bush's unpopularity as he prepares to leave office
after eight years proved an insurmountable obstacle for fellow
Republican McCain.
The Arizona senator thanked his supporters and campaign staff, and
praised his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah
Palin.
'It is natural, though, to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow
we must move beyond it,' McCain said. 'We fought as hard as we could,
and though we fell short, the failure is mine - not yours.'
USA
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