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 captured enough states to easily top the threshold of
270 votes in the Electoral College, becoming the first African-
American president after Americans strongly endorsed his message of
change.
'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.'
Obama went before supporters in Chicago shortly after McCain
spoke, praising the Arizona senator for his resilience on the
campaign trail and his dedication to his country as a member of
Congress and as prisoner during the Vietnam War.
'Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's
fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves,' Obama
said. 'He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot
begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this
brave and selfless leader.'
McCain acknowledged Obama effectiveness at appealing to average
Americans, at raising money and bringing voter turnout to record
levels, and for his achievement in becoming the first black to win
the presidency.
'I recognize the special significance it has for African-
Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight,'
McCain said, referencing the struggle for civil rights and the days
of slavery.
'America today is a world away from the cruel and frightful
bigotry of that time,' McCain said. 'There is no better evidence of
this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of
the United States.'
The outlook for McCain looked grim not long after polls closed in
key battleground states tilting toward Obama. The Democrat easily
prevailed in Pennsylvania and took Ohio, two states feeling the
squeeze of the economic crisis.
Polls had shown that US voters had more faith in McCain on issues
of foreign policy and national security, but the financial crisis
took centre stage in the final months of the campaign, and Americans
clearly believed Obama was better suited to rescue the economy.
McCain expressed his condolences to Obama, whose grandmother who
played a major role in his upbringing passed away one day before the
election.
'Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his
country,' McCain said. 'I applaud him for it, and offer him my
sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see
this day.'
USA
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