3.0

1972

Richard Nixon

republican

Good evening my fellow Americans: Before going over to the Shoreham Hotel to address the victory celebration which is in process there, I wanted to take a moment to say word to all of you in this very personal way, speaking from the Oval Office. I first want to express my deep appreciation to every one of you, the millions of you who gave me your support in the election today. And I want to express my respect for millions of others who gave their support to Senator McGovern. I know that after a campaign, when one loses he can feel very, very low; his supporters as well may feel that way. And when he wins, as you will note when I get over to the Shoreham, people are feeling very much better. The important thing in our process, however, is to play the game. And in the great game of life, and particularly the game of politics, what is important is that on either side more Americans voted this year than ever before. And the fact that you won or you lost must not keep you from keeping in the great game of politics in the years ahead, because the better competition we have between the two parties, between the two men running for office —whatever office that may be—means that we get the better people and the better programs for our country. And now that the election is over, it is time to get on with the great tasks that lie before us. I tried to conduct myself in this campaign in a way that would not divide our country — not divide it regionally or by parties or in any other way, because firmly believe that what unites America today is infinitely more important than those things which divide us. We are united Americans, North, East, West and South, both parties in our desire for peace: Peace with honor, the kind of peace that will last, and we are moving swiftly toward that great goal, not just in Vietnam but a new era of peace in which the old relationships between the two super‐powers—the Soviet Union and the United States —and between the world's most populous nation, the People's Republic of China and the United States are changed so that we are on the eve of what could be the greatest generation of peace, true peace, for the whole world, that man has ever This is a great goal! This is a great goal, bigger than whether we're Democrats or Republicans, and it's one that I think you will want to work with me, with all of us, in helping to achieve. There are other goals that go with that. The prosperity without war and without inflation that we have all wanted and that we now can have, and the progress for all Americans, the kind of progress so that we can say to any young American whatever his background that he or she in this great country has an equal chance to go to the top in whatever field he or she may choose. I had noted in listening to the returns a few minutes ago that several commentators have reflected on the fact that this may be one of the great political victories of all time. In terms of votes, that may be true. But in terms of what a victory really is, a huge landslide margin means nothing at all, unless it is a victory for America. It will be a victory for America only if in these next four years we, all of us, can work together to achieve our common great goals of peace at home and peace for alt nations in the world. And for that new progress and prosperity which all Americans deserve. I would only hope that in these next four years we can so conduct ourselves in this country and so meet our responsibilities in the world in building peace in the world that years from now people will look back to the generation of the nineteen seventies and how we've conducted ourselves and they will say, God Bless America. Thank you very much.

697.0

6.0

1984

Ronald Reagan

republican

Well, thank you all very much. It seems we did this 4 years ago, and let me just say, well, you know, good habits are hard to break. Just a short time ago, Walter Mondale phoned me, and to -- -- The President. No -- to concede. He told me the people had made their decision and, therefore, we were all Americans, we'd go forward together. But Nancy and I would like to express -- -- The President. They're yelling for you. They're yelling for you. Nancy, Nancy. You know, we could spend the rest of the next 4 years thanking all of those who have made this night possible. But there are a few I'd like to mention this evening. First, Nancy and I want to express our warmth and our deep gratitude to George and Barbara Bush. And, George, if you're watching down there in Texas, thank you for campaigning so magnificently all across this country. And believe me, I'm very proud to have you as my partner for this next term. As far as I'm concerned, there has never been a finer Vice President. And a thank you, too, to Paul Laxalt, our campaign chairman. Paul is in Washington, and I understand he's there watching in a room like this with people like yourself who are there for the same reason. And there is no better personal friend than I've ever had, and there's no better ally to have at your side when you're in a campaign. And, Paul, we're grateful for all that you've done over the years. And all of you there in the Shoreham Hotel ballroom, a deep thanks for all that you have done. And Paul would be the first to say how much help he had and what an outstanding job was done by Ed Rollins, our campaign director. And, Ed, please know how grateful I am for the way you put together the finest campaign organization, I think, in the history of American politics. Our thanks, too, to Mayor Margaret Hance, our deputy campaign chairwoman. She gave of her time so generously. Back in Washington, we owe so much to the great work of the Republican National Committee and its chairman, Frank Fahrenkopf. Frank and all those dedicated people who worked with him gave -- well, they give politics a good name. We wouldn't have enjoyed this victory tonight without them. And now, I have a special thank you for something that began here in this State almost 20 years ago. First by the dozens, and then by the hundreds, and finally by the thousands, we've seen our friends, all of you volunteers and workers who came to our side to help. From California, then across the United States, you have each given selflessly of yourselves. And I have no words to properly thank you for all that you've done. We set out, I remember back those almost 20 years ago, and said that we could start a prairie fire here in California, one that would capture the intensity of our devotion to freedom and the strength of our commitment to American ideals. Well, we began to carry a message to every corner of the Nation, a simple message. The message is: Here in America, the people are in charge. And that's really why we're here tonight. This electoral victory belongs to you and the principles that you cling to -- principles struck by the brilliance and bravery of patriots more than 200 years ago. They set forth the course of liberty and hope that makes our country special in the world. To the extent that what has happened today reaffirms those principles, we are part of that prairie fire that we still think defines America -- a fire of hope that will keep alive the promise of opportunity as we head into the next century. Four years ago, when we celebrated victory in this same room, our country was faced by some deep and serious problems. But instead of complaining together, we rolled up our sleeves and began working together. We said we would get inflation under control, and we did. We said we would get America working again, and we've created more than 6\1/2\ million new jobs. We said that we would work to restore traditional values in our society, and we have begun. And we said that we would slow down the growth of government and the rate of its spending increases, and we did. We said we'd get interest rates down, and we did. We said we would rebuild our defenses and make America prepared for peace, and we have. Now, I wish I could take credit for this, but -- -- -- but the credit -- no, the credit belongs to the American people, to each of you. Our work isn't finished; there's much more to be done. We want to make every family more secure, to help those in our inner cities, on our farms, and in some of our older industries which are not yet back on their feet. And the recovery will not be complete until it's complete for everyone. By rebuilding our strength, we can bring ourselves closer to the day when all nations can begin to reduce nuclear weapons and ultimately banish them from the Earth entirely. You know, so many people act as if this election means the end of something -- -- The vision we outlined in 1980, indeed the passion of the fire that we kept burning for two decades, doesn't die just because 4 years have passed. To each one of you I say: Tonight is the end of nothing; it's the beginning of everything. What we've done only prepares us for what we're going to do. We must continue -- not only into those next 4 years but into the next decade and the next century -- to meet our goal of sustained economic growth without inflation and to keep America strong. Our society is a society of unlimited opportunity which will reach out to every American and includes lifting the weak and nurturing the less fortunate. We fought many years for our principles. Now we'll work to keep those principles in practice. That's what we have to leave to our children, and to their children, and they are what this campaign was all about. We've come together again. We're united again. And now, let's start building together and keep the prairie fire alive. And let's never stop shaping that society which lets each person's dreams unfold into a life of unending hope. America's best days lie ahead. And, you know, you'll forgive me, I'm going to do it just one more time: You ain't seen nothin' yet. God bless you. Thank you all very much. Thank you.

1132.0

11.0

2004

George W Bush

republican

Thank you all. Thank you all for coming. We had a long night ... and a great night. The voters turned out in record numbers and delivered an historic victory. Earlier today, Senator Kerry called with his congratulations. We had a really good phone call. He was very gracious. Senator Kerry waged a spirited campaign, and he and his supporters can be proud of their efforts. Laura and I wish Senator Kerry and Teresa and their whole family all our best wishes. America has spoken, and I'm humbled by the trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens. With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans. And I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your president. There are many people to thank and my family comes first. Laura is the love of my life. I'm glad you love her too. I want to thank our daughters who joined their dad for his last campaign. I appreciate the hard work of my sister and brothers. I especially want to thank my parents for their loving support. I'm grateful to the vice president and Lynne and their daughters who have worked so hard and been such a vital part of our team. The vice president serves America with wisdom and honor and I'm proud to serve beside him. I want to thank my superb campaign team. I want to thank you all for your hard work. I was impressed every day by how hard and how skillful our team was. I want to thank Chairman Marc Racicot and the campaign manager, Ken Mehlman, the architect, Karl Rove. I want to thank Ed Gillespie for leading our party so well. I want to thank the thousands of our supporters across our country. I want to thank you for your hugs on the rope lines. I want thank you for your prayers on the rope lines. I want to thank you for your kind words on the rope lines. I want to thank you for everything you did to make the calls and to put up the signs, to talk to your neighbours and to get out the vote. And because you did the incredible work, we are celebrating today. There is an old saying: Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. In four historic years, America has been given great tasks and faced them with strength and courage. Our people have restored the vigor of this economy and shown resolve and patience in a new kind of war. Our military has brought justice to the enemy and honor to America. Our nation has defended itself and served the freedom of all mankind. I'm proud to lead such an amazing country, and I'm proud to lead it forward. Because we have done the hard work, we are entering a season of hope. We will continue our economic progress. We'll reform our outdated tax code. We'll strengthen the Social Security for the next generation. We'll make public schools all they can be. And we will uphold our deepest values of family and faith. We'll help the emerging democracies of Iraq and Afghanistan ... so they can grow in strength and defend their freedom. And then our service men and women will come home with the honor they have earned. With good allies at our side, we will fight this war on terror with every resource of our national power so our children can live in freedom and in peace. Reaching these goals will require the broad support of Americans. So today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent. To make this nation stronger and better, I will need your support and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation. We have one country, one constitution, and one future that binds us. And when we come together and work together, there is no limit to the greatness of America. Let me close with a word for the people of the state of Texas. We have known each other the longest, and you started me on this journey. On the open plains of Texas, I first learned the character of our country: sturdy and honest, and as hopeful as the break of day. I will always be grateful to the good people of my state. And whatever the road that lies ahead, that road will take me home. The campaign has ended, and the United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith. I see a great day coming for our country and I am eager for the work ahead. God bless you and may God bless America.

806.0

9.0

1996

Bill Clinton

democrat

Thank you. My fellow Americans, thank you for being here. Just four years from now, we will enter a new century of great challenge and unlimited possibility. Now, we’ve got a bridge to build and I’m ready if you are. Today the American people have spoken. They have affirmed our course. They have told us to go forward. America has told every one of us — Democrats, Republicans and Independents — loud and clear: it is time to put politics aside, join together and get the job done for America’s future. In the last four years, we’ve made remarkable progress. But in our schools, our families, our workplaces and our communities, our journey is not done. … I would like to say a special word of thanks to Senator Dole and I ask you join me in applause for his lifetime of service to the United States. And I thank Jack Kemp for his service to America and his devotion to the proposition that this a country in which everyone should have a chance to live free and equal and to have a chance at success. Let me say, and I had a good visit with Senator Dole not too long before he went out to speak. I thanked him for his love of our country, for his years of service. I applauded the campaign that he fought so bravely to the very last minute. I thanked him for the work we did together to advance the common cause of America. And on behalf of all Americans, I wish him well and God speed. Four years ago, on these very steps, we set forth on a journey to change the course of America for the better, to keep the American dream alive for everyone willing to work for it, to keep America the world’s strongest force for peace and freedom and prosperity, to come together as one American community. The time was one of widespread frustration and doubt about our economic and social problems, about our ability to deal with the vast sweep of change that was all around us. The scope and pace of those changes were threatening to many and our values seemed to be under attack on all sides. But, together, you and I vowed to turn our country around, with a strategy to meet our challenges and protect our values, opportunity for all, responsibility from all, an American community of all Americans. We have worked hard to end the politics of who’s to blame and instead to ask, what are we going to do to make America better. Tonight, we proclaim that the vital American center is alive and well. It is a common ground on which we have made our progress. Today, our economy is stronger, our streets are safer, our environment is cleaner, the world is more secure and, thank God, our nation is more united … We must make our democracy stronger by enacting real, bipartisan campaign finance reform. Talk is no longer enough. We must act and act now. And the American people will be watching the leaders of both parties to see who is willing not just to talk but to act. I am willing to act, and I ask others to join me. And we must keep America the world’s indispensable nation. Finishing the unfinished business of the Cold War, meeting the new threats to our security through terrorism and the proliferation of dangerous weapons, and seizing these extraordinary opportunities to extend our values of peace and democracy and prosperity. Every American here tonight and every American within the sound of my voice can take pride in the fact that in these last few years for the first time in all of human history, a majority of the human beings living on this globe live under democracies where the people rule. The challenges we face, they’re not Democratic or Republican challenges. They’re American challenges. What we know from the budget battles of the last two years and from the remarkable success of the last few weeks of this Congress is the lesson we have learned for the last 220 years — what we have achieved as Americans of lasting good, we have achieved by working together. So let me say to the leaders of my Democratic Party and the leaders of the Republican Party, it is time to put country ahead of party. We do not know the final outcome of the Congressional elections but we know this: The races are close. The American people have been closely divided. The Congress, whatever happens, will be closely divided. They are sending us a message: Work together. Meet our challenges. Put aside the politics of division and build America’s community, together … What we need to do is to do the work of America, the way we seek to do the work of raising our children and doing our work and supporting our religious institutions and our community institutions. If we would simply be Americans, the way we seek to live in all of our other roles, there is no stopping America. Our best days are still ahead. And so, I say, when we look into our hearts and simply ask what is right for the American people and the future of our children, when we set aside our differences and build on our shared values of faith and family and work, when we roll up our sleeves and work together, American always wins … I got here tonight, my fellow Americans, because America gave me a chance. That is what all the children of America deserve. Our people have to give them the tools to give them not a guarantee, but that real chance to live up to their God-given potential. And I ask you to join me in that commitment. Every child deserves the main chance that I was given. And so I say again let us resolve to run our country the way we try to run our lives. Whether you are the party of Thomas Jefferson or the party of Abraham Lincoln, whether you’re an independent or unaffiliated, remember that we all belong to the greatest nation in history. To us, much has been given and much is still expected. We must rise to the challenge of building that bridge to the 21st century. Tonight is a night for joy, not just for us here but for all Americans. For the 53rd time in our history, our people have made their quiet and deliberate decision. They have come together with their powerful voice and expressed their will. Tonight we celebrate the miracle of America. Tomorrow we greet the dawn and begin our work anew. I am more grateful than I can say. You have given me an opportunity and a responsibility that comes to few people. I will do my best, and together we will — we will build that bridge to the 21st century. Thank you. Good night, and God bless America. Thank you.

1163.0

8.0

1992

Bill Clinton

democrat

My fellow Americans on this day, with high hopes and brave hearts and massive numbers, the American people have voted to make a new beginning. This election is a clarion call for our country to face the challenges of the end of the Cold War and beginning of the next century, to restore growth to our country and opportunity to our people, to empower our own people so that they can take more responsibility for their own lives, to face problems too long ignored, from AIDS to the environment to the conversion of our economy, from a defense to a domestic economic giant. And perhaps most important of all, to bring our people together as never before so that our diversity can be a source of strength in a world that is ever smaller, where everyone counts and everyone is a part of America's family. I want to begin this night by thanking my family: my wife, without whom I would not be here tonight--and who I believe will be one of the greatest first ladies in the history of this republic. And I also want to say a special word of thanks to our daughter for putting up with our absence, for supporting our effort, for being brave in the face of adversity, and for reminding us every day about what this election is really all about. I want to thank my mother, my brother, my stepfather, my mother-in-law and father-in-law, my brothers-in-law, and my sister-in-law, who carried this campaign across this country and stuck up for me when others were trying to put it down. I love them and I thank them. I want to thank the people of this wonderful small state. Time after time, when this campaign was about to be counted out, the Arkansas travelers exploded out of this state around the country to tell people the truth about what we had done here together, how we had pulled together, what we believed in and what we could do as a nation. I have the best staff and cabinet you can imagine, and they kept this state together. And even when we weren't here, we continued to lead the country in job growth, in keeping taxes and spending down, and in pulling the people of Arkansas together to show what we could do if the nation pulled together and moved forward, too. I want to thank the people who were in that infamous group, the FOBs, the Friends of Bill and the Friends of Hillary. No person who ever sought this office was more aided by the friends of a lifetime, and I will never forget you. I want to thank the people in the New Democratic Party headed by our chairman Ron Brown, the new members of Congress, the new blood, the new direction that we are giving. And finally I want to thank the members of my brilliant, aggressive, unconventional but always winning campaign staff. They were unbelievable. And they have earned this. I want to say, if I might, a special word of thanks to two people who lost their lives in the course of this campaign without whom we might not be here tonight, our friends Paul Telley and Vic Razor, our prayers are with them. They're looking down on us tonight and they're awful happy. Not very long ago I received a telephone call from President Bush. It was a generous and forthcoming telephone call, of real congratulations and an offer to work with me in keeping our democracy running in an effective and important transition. I want all of you to join with me tonight in expressing our gratitude to President Bush for his lifetime of public service, for the effort he made from the time he was a young soldier in World War II, to helping to bring about an end to the Cold War, to our victory in the Gulf War, to the grace with which he conceded the results of this election tonight in the finest American tradition. Let's give Mr Bush and his family a hand. I heard tonight Mr Perot's remarks, and his offer to work with us. I say to you, of all the things that he said, I think perhaps the most important thing that we understand here in the heartland of Arkansas is the need to reform the political system, to reduce the influence of special interests and give more influence back to the kind of people that are in this crowd tonight by the tens of thousands. And I will work with him to do that. And, finally, let me say how profoundly indebted I am tonight--beyond the folks at home, beyond the wonderful people that worked in this administration--the lieutenant governor and others--to keep our government going, beyond all the others I have to say a special word of thanks to my magnificent running mate, Sen Al Gore and his family. I want to tell you that Al and Tipper, Hillary and I, have become friends. I admire them for what they stand for; they're enjoyable to be with, they believe in our country. Al Gore is a man of almost unparalleled combination of intelligence, commitment, compassion and concern to the people of this country, to our obligations to preserve our environment, to our duty to promote freedom and peace in the world. And together we're going to do our best to give you a new partnership for a new America. I want to thank Al's children, his brother-in-law, and his wonderful parents. They made about as many votes in some states as we did. I think we carried every state that Sen and Mrs Gore campaigned in. Their percentage was the best of all. I want to say that we have established a partnership in this campaign that we will continue into this new administration. For if we have learned anything in the world today, it is that we can accomplish more by teamwork, by working together, by bringing out the best in all the people that we seek--and we will seek the best and most able and most committed people throughout this country to be a part of our team. We will ask the Democrats who believe in our cause to come forward, but we will look, too, among the ranks of independents and Republicans who are willing to roll up their sleeves, be a part of a new partnership, and get on with the business of dealing with this nation's problems. I remind you again tonight, my fellow Americans, that this victory was more than a victory of party, it was a victory for the people who work hard and play by the rules, a victory for the people who feel left out and left behind and want to do better, a victory for the people who are ready to compete and win in the global economy but who need a government that offers a hand, not a hand-out. That is what we offer, and that is what tomorrow we will begin to work to provide to all of you. Today, the steelworker and the stenographer, the teacher and the nurse, had as much power in the mystery of our democracy as the president, the billionaire, and the governor. You all spoke with equal voices for change. And tomorrow we will try to give you that. You can trust us to wake up every day remembering the people we saw in the bus trips, the people we saw in the town meetings, the people we touched at the rallies, the people who had never voted before, the people who hadn't voted in 20 years, the people who'd never voted for a Democrat, the people who had given up hope, all of them together saying we want our future back. And I intend to help give it to you. I say to all of those who voted for us, this was a remarkable coalition for change. Many of you had to put aside this or that personal ambition to be a part of a broad, deep commitment to change this country. I ask you to keep that commitment as we move from election to governing. We need more than ever for those of you who said let's put the public interest over personal interest to keep it right there for 4 years so we can turn this country around. I say to all those who voted for Mr Bush or Mr Perot, those who voted for the president, those who voted for Ross Perot, I know you love your country, too. I ask you to listen to the voice of your leaders; I ask you to join with us in creating a re-United States, a united country, with a new sense of patriotism to face the challenges of this new time. We need your help, too, and we will do our best to deserve it. When we seek to offer young people the opportunity to borrow the money they need to go to college and the challenge to pay it back through national service, when we challenge the insurance companies, the drug companies, the providers and the consumers, the government to give us a new health care system, when we offer those on welfare new opportunity in the challenge to move to work, when we ask companies to take the incentives we offer to put American people to work and export American products, not American jobs--all of this is a part of a new patriotism to lift our people up and enable all of us to live up to the fullest of our potential. I accept tonight the responsibility that you have given me to be the leader of this, the greatest country in human history. I accept it with a full heart and a joyous spirit, but I ask you to be Americans again too, to be interested not just in getting but in giving, not just in placing blame but now in assuming responsibility, not just in looking out for yourselves but in looking out for others, too. In this very place, one year and one month ago today, I said we need more than new laws, new promises or new programs. We need a new spirit of community, a sense that we're all in this together. If we have no sense of community, the American dream will continue to whither. Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every American. We're all in this together, and we will rise or fall together. That has been my message to the American people for the past thirteen months and it will be my message for the next 4 years. Together we can do it. Together we can make the country that we love everything it was meant to be. I still believe in a place called Hope. God bless America. Thank you all.

1824.0

1.0

1960

John F Kennedy

democrat

Ladies and gentlemen, I have received the following wire from Vice President Nixon. In that wire he says, "Senator John F. Kennedy, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. I want to repeat through this wire the congratulations and best wishes I extended to you on television last night. I know that you will have united support of all Americans as you lead the nation in the cause of peace and freedom during the next four years." I reply to the vice president-- I sent him the following wire: "Vice President Nixon, Los Angeles, California. Your sincere good wishes are gratefully accepted. You are to be congratulated on a fine race. I know that the nation can continue to count on your unswerving loyalty in whatever effort you undertake, and that you and I can maintain our long-standing cordial relations in the years ahead. Sincerely, John Kennedy." I received also a wire from President Eisenhower which says, "My congratulations to you for the victory you have just won at the polls. I will be sending you promptly a more comprehensive telegram suggesting certain measures that may commend themselves to you as you prepare to take over next January the responsibilities of the Presidency. Signed, Dwight D. Eisenhower. And I have sent to President Eisenhower the following wire: "I am grateful for your wire and good wishes. I look forward to working with you in the near future. The whole country is hopeful that your long experience in the service of your country can be drawn upon further in the years to come. With every good wish, signed, John Kennedy." May I say in addition to all citizens of this country, Democrats, independents, Republicans, regardless of how they may have voted, that it is a satisfying moment to me and I want to express my appreciation to all of them and to Mr. Nixon personally. I particularly want to thank all of those who worked so long and so hard in this campaign on our behalf and who were generous to me in my visits throughout the country and who were generous enough to support me in the election on yesterday. To all Americans I say that the next four years are going to be difficult and challenging years for all of us. The election may have been a close one, but I think that there is general agreement by all of our citizens that a supreme national effort will be needed in the years ahead to move this country safely through the 1960s. I ask your help in this effort and I can assure you that every degree of mind and spirit that I possess will be devoted to the long-range interests of the United States and to the cause of freedom around the world. So now my wife and I prepare for a new administration and for a new baby. Thank you.

479.0

10.0

2000

George W Bush

republican

Thank you very much. Good evening my fellow Americans, I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you tonight. Mr speaker, lieutenant governor, friends, distinguished guests. Our country has been through a long and trying period, with the outcome of the presidential election not finalised 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 emotion 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 presiden 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 contes 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 mak 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 wa And I am thankful to the American people for the great privilege of being able to serve as your next presiden I want to thank my wife and our 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 Americ 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 a home to bipartisan co-operatio Here, in a place where Democrats have the majority, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to do what is right for the people we represen We've had spirited disagreements, and in the end, we found constructive consensus. It is an experience I will always carry with me, an example I will always follo I thank my friend, house speaker Pete Laney, a Democrat, who introduced me today. I want to thank the legislators of both political 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 Bulloc 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 co-operation I have seen in this hall is what is needed in Washington. It is the challenge of our momen 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 citizen I'm optimistic that we can change the tone in Washington DC. 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 pas 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. And so do Democrats. Our votes may differ, but not our hope I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and delive Together, guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common goals, we can unite and inspire the American citizen 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 com 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 deserv Together, we'll 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 adversar 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 peopl 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 responsibilitie 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, a more civil societ We've discussed our differences; now it is time to find common ground and build consensus to make America a beacon of opportunity in the 21st centur I'm 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 Congres 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 democrac Shortly after the election, Jefferson, in a letter titled reconciliation and reform, wrote this: "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 proble I have something else to ask of you, I ask every American. I ask for you to pray for this great nation. I ask your prayers for leaders from both partie 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 drea An America that is educated, so every child has the keys to realise that dream. And an America that is united in our diversity and our shared American values that are larger than race or part 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 respec 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 harmon The presidency is more than an honour, it is more than an office. It is a charge to keep, and I will give it my all. Thank you very much, and God bless America.

1315.0

4.0

1976

Jimmy Carter

democrat

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you everybody. Let me say just a word. Let me say just a word to you. This ... this tremendous crowd at 4 o' clock in the morning represents hundreds of millions of American people who are now ready to see our nation unified, and I want to congratulate the toughest and most formidable opponent that anyone could possibly have, President Gerald Ford. As I’ve said many times throughout this nation, he’s a good and decent man and no one could have a campaign that had to be so thoroughly organized, hard fought, and which has marshaled so much cooperation from hundreds of thousands of people who have put their confidence in me. And I pray that I can live up to your confidence and never disappoint you. We have a great nation as you know, and sometimes in the past we've been disappointed at our own government. But I think it's time to tap the tremendous strength and vitality and idealism and hope and patriotism and a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood in this country to unify our nation, to make it great once again. It's not going to be easy for any of us. I don't claim to know all the answers, but I have said many times in my campaign around all 50 states that I'm not afraid to take on the responsibilities of President of the United States, because my strength and my courage and my advice and my counsel and my criticism comes from you. And if I can tap the greatness that's in you and in the American people, we can make our nation's government great and a source of pride once again. Are you proud of our nation? Do you think we can help to unify it and bring it back together? Do you think we can put our people back to work? So do I. And I’ll do the best I can during this transition period from now until next January to continue to learn how to be a good president. And I’ve learned in the last 22 months— I believe as good as any human being could have learned—what our people are, what we have been in the past, and what we can be. And I believe that this next four years that we will have a sense of purpose, a sense that the government belongs to us, a sense that we participated in this campaign, and I welcome all of those in the United States, whether they like you supported me or supported Mr Ford or someone else, it’s time for us to get together to correct our mistakes, to answer difficult questions, and to make our nation great. I want to thank all of you. I love everybody here. You’ve been great to me. Thank you very much.

477.0

2.0

1964

Lyndon Johnson

democrat

My fellow countrymen: No words are adequate to really express the feeling of this occasion. Most of all, I wish to be equal to your con­fidence, and to the hopes of all of the people of America. We have voted as many, but tonight we must face the world as one. To our great Governor, my friend of a quarter of a cen­tury; to my loyal wife and two daughters who have stood by me here so stead­fastly through all these trials of many weeks; to every worker in every block in the land; to the people of both parties and to, especially, to you good people here in my home who have been so patient and understanding all of the years and who made it possible to have the deci­sion that was made today, I say thank you. I know that I was only one of many because we had a group of outstanding candi­datesthroughout the nation, and we had men of independ­ent views and men and women of both parties who put their country before their party. Now, tonight, our purpose must be to bind up our wounds; to heal our history, and to make this nation whole. I know that this is more than a victory of party or person. It is a tribute to the program that was begun by our beloved President John J. Kennedy. A program that he carried on until he was taken from us. It is visible evidence of the work of a devoted and un­selfish Cabinet — men like Dean Rusk and Bob McNam­ara and Douglas Dillon, and all of the other memers of the Cabinet and the independ­ent agencies whose service has not been partisan but has always been in the national interest. It is a tribute to the men and women of all parties in the Congress and the na­tion. It reaffirms the achieve­ments and the policies which have emerged over genera­tions from common American principles. It is a mandate for unity, for a Government that serves no special interest—no busi­ness government, no labor government, no farm govern­ment, no one faction, no one group — but a Government that is the servant of all the people. It will be a Govern­ment that provides equal op­portunity for all and special privileges for none. It is a command to build on those principles and to move forward toward peace and a better life for all of our people. So from this night forward, this is to be our work and in these pursits, I promise the best that is in me for as long as I'm permitted to serve. I ask all those who sup­ported me and all those that opposed me to forget our dif­ferences because there are I would like to leave you tonight with the words of Abraham Lincoln, as a cen­tury ago he left his friends and neighbors to become President of the United States. And he said, and I quote: “Without the assistance of that Divine Being Who ever attended us I cannot succed. With that assistance I cannot fail. To His care commending you as I hope in your prayers you will commend me.” So I bid you an affection­ate farewell. I do not know what hap­pened in every hamlet or vot­ing box in American today. But I think I discern what happened in all America to­day. I doubt that there has ever been so many people seeing so many things alike on decision day, and with that understanding and with the help of all of them, we will be on our way to try to achieve peace in our time for our people and to try to keep our people prosperous. So to all of you that have gone this long road with me, particu­larly to the press and tele­vision people who have worked 18‐hour days for many weeks now, I say I hope you have a good rest tomorrow. Good night to all of you, and thanks to all America. At this point all three tele­vision networks shifted to Vice President‐elect Humphrey in Minneapolis. The networks re­turned to President Johnson after a few minutes and thus part of his remarks was not recorded. They picked up as follows: The new Vice President of the United States is arriving tomorrow at noon and in his honor and in the honor of the men and women who traveled with us in this campaign we are going to have a barbecue out on the banks of the Ped­ernales. I knew in Atlantic City that I had made the right recommendation to that con­vention so far as the Vice President was concerned, be­cause I had observed him very closely ever since I became a member of the Senate. But in the weeks that have fol­lowed that convention I know even more that in my heart I was right. Hubert Humphrey left that convention with no orders or no instructions and he trav­eled to 40 states and made no mistakes. Everywhere he went the people received him warmly and applauded his pronouncements. And I pre­dict that he, aided by his charming wife, Muriel, their lovely family, will make one of the greatest Vice Presi­dents that this nation has ever known. Thank you very much.

875.0

5.0

1980

Ronald Reagan

republican

Let me just say first of all, this has been, well, there's never been a more humbling moment in my life, not only humbled by the extent of what has happened tonight. Even if it had been the cliffhanger that all of us, I think, were expecting, it would have been the same way. But just to have had the support of the people of this country. I consider the trust you have placed in me sacred and I give you my sacred oath that I will do my utmost to justify your faith. Earlier this evening, I spoke on the phone with President Carter. The president pledged the utmost in cooperation in the transition that will take place in these coming months. I offered him my own cooperation. He graciously said that he wanted this to be the... When that began to slide, I thought the world was going out just as I was getting in. As I say, the president was most gracious about this. And now, all across America, there are some people that I owe a great debt of thanks to. There they are, they are meeting tonight in our national headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, the national committee people, the dedicated professionals who made the campaign run and in every state, in the counties, in the cities, in the precincts, to all of them who worked so tirelessly, literally hundreds of thousands of volunteers, and I've seen them at work throughout the country on this campaign, I just owe them an immeasurable debt of thanks. To George and Barbara Bush, our running mates, down in Texas, no one has worked harder than they have. We only crossed paths a few times on this campaign and had to go out of our way to do it because their schedule was so heavy. And I can tell you, we're going to have a true partnership and a true friendship in the White House. And now, as I said before, my family. I'm so grateful to them, for the love, for the support and for the hard work, because some of them were out on the campaign trail easily as much as Nancy and I were. And speaking of Nancy, she's going to have a new title in a couple of months. And it isn't really new because she's been the first lady in my life for a long time. Now, we'll share that a little bit in the future. You know, Abe Lincoln, the day after his election to the presidency, gathered in his office the newsmen who had been covering his campaign and he said to them, "Well boys, you're troubles are over now, mine have just begun." I think I know what he meant. Lincoln may have been concerned in the troubled times in which he became president but I don't think he was afraid. He was ready to confront the problems and the troubles of a still youthful country, determined to seize the historic opportunity to change things. And I am not frightened by what lies ahead and I don't believe the American people are frightened by what lies ahead. Together, we're going to do what has to be done. We're going to put America back to work again. You know, I aim to try and tap that great American spirit that opened up this completely undeveloped continent from coast to coast and made it a great nation, survived several wars, survived a Great Depression, and we'­ll survive the problems we face right now. When I accepted your nomination for president...I asked for your prayers at that moment. I won't ask for them in this particular moment but I will just say I would be very happy to have them in the days ahead. All I can say to all of you is thank you and thank you for more than just George Bush and myself, thank you, because if the trend continues, we may very well control one house of the Congress for the first time in a quarter of a century. We have already picked up some governorships and... it looks like a number of the states, we have turned the state legislatures around and so for the first time, they are a majority for us. You did it. I have one message that I have to give before I leave. I've been upstairs on the phone, trying to get ahold of two celebrations, two parties that are going on, one in Tampico, Illinois, where I was born, and one in Dixon, Illinois, where I grew up. I've got two hometowns. And finally, we managed to get the radio station in that area and they told us that they would broadcast my message to the two parties that are going on, so to all of them, thank you too, back there in the home town. Thank you all, thanks very much.

818.0