Here's What The Country's Leaders Are Saying Following Trump's Win
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Here's a glance at the speeches made by the nation's political leaders following Donald Trump's winning of the presidency.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan
"This is the most incredible political feat I have seen in my lifetime."
"Donald Trump heard a voice out in this country that no one else heard. He connected in ways with people no one else did. He turned politics on his head, and now Donald Trump will lead a unified Republican government."
"There is no doubt our democracy can be very messy and we do remain a sharply divided country, but now as we do every four years, we have to work heal the divisions of a long campaign. I think President-Elect Donald Trump set the perfect tone for doing just this and I know President Obama and Secretary Clinton are committed to bringing the country together. This needs to be a time of redemption, not a time of recrimination."
-----
Tim Kaine
"Hillary and I know well the wisdom and the word of William Faulker. He said, 'They kilt us, but they ain't whupped us yet.' They kilt us, but they ain't whupped us yet — because we know that the work remains, we know that the dreams of empowering families and children remain and in that work, that important work that we have to do as a nation, it is so comforting even in a tough time to know that Hillary Clinton is somebody until her very last breath is gonna be battling for the values that make this nation great and the values that we care so deeply about."
Hillary Clinton
"Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans. This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for, and I'm sorry that we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country, but I feel pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign that we built together. This vast, diverse, creative, unruly, energized campaign."
"Being your candidate has been one of the greatest honors of my life."
"I know how disappointed you feel, because I feel it too. And so do tens of millions of Americans who invested their hopes and dreams in this effort. This is painful and it will be for a long time, but I want you to remember this: Our campaign was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love and about building an America that's hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted."
"To the young people in particular, I hope you will hear this. I have, as Tim said, spent my entire adult life fighting for what I believe in, I've had successes and I've had setbacks. Sometimes, really painful ones. Many of you are at the beginning of your professional, public and political careers. You will have successes and setbacks too. This loss hurts, but please, never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it."
"I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will and hopefully sooner than we might think right now."
"And to all the little girls who are watching this: never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams."
-----
President Barack Obama
"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 we had a smooth transition so that we could hit the ground running."
"And one thing that you realize quickly in this job is that the presidency and the vice presidency is bigger than any of us. So I have instructed my team to follow the example that President Bush's team set eight years ago, and work as hard as we can to make sure this is a successful transition for the President-Elect. Because we are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country. The 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."
"Everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after we have to remember that we're actually 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. That's what 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 he maintains that spirit throughout this transition and I certainly hope that's how his presidency has a chance to begin."
-----