Free The People!
Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Victory Speech
December 13, 2000
My fellow
Americans, I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you tonight. Mr. Speaker, Lt.
Governor Perry, distinguished guests and friends:
Our country has been through a long and trying period, with the outcome of the
presidential election not finalized for longer than any of us could have ever imagined.
Vice President Gore and I put our hearts and hopes into our campaigns; we both gave it
our all. We shared similar emotions.
I understand how difficult this moment must be for Vice President Gore and his family. He
has a distinguished record of service to our country as a Congressman, a Senator and as
Vice President.
This evening I received a gracious call from the Vice President. We agreed to meet early
next week in Washington and we agreed to do our best to heal our country after this hard
fought contest.
Tonight, I want to thank all the volunteers and campaign workers who worked so hard on my
behalf, I also salute the Vice President and his supporters for waging a spirited
campaign, ...and I thank him for a call that I know was difficult to make.
Laura and I wish the Vice President and Senator Lieberman and their families
the very best.
I have a lot to be thankful for tonight. I am thankful for America and thankful that we
are able to resolve our electoral differences in a peaceful way.
And I am thankful to the American people for the great privilege of being able to serve as
your next President.
I thank my wife and daughters for their love. Laura's active involvement as First Lady has
made Texas a better place, and she will be a wonderful First Lady for America.
I am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side, and America will be proud to have
him as our next Vice President.
Tonight, I chose to speak from the chamber of the Texas House of Representatives because
it has been home to bipartisan cooperation.
Here, in a place where Democrats have the majority, Republicans and Democrats have worked
together to do what is right for the people we represent.
We had spirited disagreements, and in the end, we found constructive consensus. It is an
experience I will always carry with me, and an example I
will always follow.
I thank my friend, House Speaker Pete Laney, a democrat, who introduced me
today. And I thank the legislators of both parties with whom I worked.
Across the hall in our Texas Capitol is the State Senate, and I cannot help but think of
our mutual friend, the former Democrat Lieutenant Governor, Bob Bullock. His love for
Texas and his ability to work in a bipartisan way continue to be a model for all of
us.
The spirit of cooperation I have seen in this hall is what is needed in Washington. It is
the challenge of our moment. After a difficult election, we must put politics behind us
and work together to make the promise of America available for every one of our
citizens.
I am optimistic that we can change the tone of Washington, D.C. I believe things happen
for a reason, and I hope the long wait of the last five weeks will heighten a desire to
move beyond the bitterness and partisanship of the recent past.
Our nation must rise above a house divided. Americans share hopes and goals
and values far more important than any political disagreements. Republicans
want the best for our nation. So do Democrats.
Our votes may differ, but not our hopes.
I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must
seize this moment and deliver.
Together, guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common
goals, we can unite and inspire the American citizens.
Together, we will work to make all our public schools excellent, teaching every student of
every background and every accent, so that no child is left behind.
Together, we will save Social Security and renew its promise of a secure retirement for
generations to come.
Together, we will strengthen Medicare and offer prescription drug coverage to all of our
seniors.
Together, we will give Americans the broad, fair and fiscally responsible tax relief they
deserve.
Together, we will have a bipartisan foreign policy true to our values and true to our
friends. And we will have a military equal to every challenge, and superior to every
adversary.
Together, we will address some of society's deepest problems one person at a
time, by encouraging and empowering the good hearts and good works of the
American people. This is the essence of compassionate conservatism, and it
will be a foundation of my administration.
These priorities are not merely Republican concerns or Democratic concerns,
these are American responsibilities.
During the fall campaign, we differed about details of these proposals - but there was
remarkable consensus about the important issues before us: excellent schools, retirement
and health security, tax relief, a strong military and a more civil society.
We have discussed our differences; now it is time to find common ground and
build consensus to make America a beacon of opportunity in the 21st century.
I am optimistic this can happen. Our future demands it, and our history proves it.
Two hundred years ago, in the election of 1800, America faced another close
presidential election. A tie in the electoral college put the outcome into the hands of
Congress.
After six days of voting, and 36 ballots, the House of Representatives elected Thomas
Jefferson the third President of the United States. That election brought the first
transfer of power from one party to another in our new democracy.
Shortly after the election, Jefferson, in a letter titled reconciliation and reform,
wrote: "the steady character of our countrymen is a rock to which we may safely
moor...
Unequivocal in principle, reasonable in manner, we shall be able I hope to do a great deal
of good to the cause of freedom and harmony."
Two hundred years have only strengthened the steady character of America.
And so as we begin the work of healing our nation, tonight I call upon that
character.
Respect for each other. Respect for our differences. Generosity of spirit. And a
willingness to work hard and work together to solve any problem.
I have something else to ask of you, every American. I ask for you to pray for this great
nation. I ask your prayers for leaders from both parties.
I thank you for your prayers for me and my family, and I ask you to pray for Vice
President Gore and his family.
I have faith that with God's help we as a nation will move forward together, as one
nation, indivisible. And together we will create an America that is open, so every citizen
has access to the American dream.
An America that is educated, so every child has the keys to realize that dream. And an
America that is united in our diversity and our shared American values that are larger
than race or party.
I was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation. The President of the United
States is the President of every single American, of every race and every background.
Whether you voted for me or not, I will do my best to serve your interests, and I will
work to earn your respect.
I will be guided by President Jefferson's sense of purpose: to stand for principle, to be
reasonable in manner, and, above all, to do great good for the cause of freedom and
harmony.
The Presidency is more than an honor, more than an office. It is a charge to keep, and I
will give it my all.
Thank you and good night. May God bless America.
