BARACK OBAMA says he “couldn’t be prouder” following Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s victory in the 2020 US presidential election.
Writing in a statement issued on Twitter, the 44th President congratulated his former vice president on a “historic and decisive” victory.
“In this election, under circumstances never experienced, Americans turned out in numbers never seen,” he said.
“And once every vote is counted, President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris will have won a historic and decisive victory.”
Biden served as Obama’s VP for two successive terms, with the pair developing a close friendship during their eight years together in the White House.
Obama has made an active effort to support Biden during the final few weeks of his campaign and told fans he was confident his friend would “do the job with the best interests of every American at heart".
“We’re fortunate that Joe’s got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way,” he said.
“Because when he walks into the White House in January, he’ll face a series of extraordinary challenges no incoming President ever has – a raging pandemic, an unequal economy and justice system, a democracy at risk, and a climate in peril.
“I know he’ll do the job with the best interests of every American at heart, whether or not he had their vote.”
The former President paid tribute to everyone involved in the Democrat campaign and urged them to “enjoy the moment” and “Stay engaged”.
He did, however, warn that the election results still highlight how “deeply and bitterly divided” the nation is and it was essential for the Biden administration to engage with these groups and “lower the temperature”.
Congratulations to my friends, @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris — our next President and Vice President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/febgqxUi1y
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 7, 2020
Michelle Obama also tweeted her congratulations and said looked forward to a new presidential team that will “restore some dignity, competence, and heart” in the White House.
"Let’s remember that this is just a beginning. It’s a first step. Voting in one election isn’t a magic wand, and neither is winning one.
“Let’s remember that tens of millions of people voted for the status quo, even when it meant supporting lies, hate, chaos, and division.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do to reach out to these folks in the years ahead and connect with them on what unites us.
“We’ve got to promise each other that our focus in this election won’t be an anomaly, but the rule.
“That’s how we can not only feel this way right now, but in the months and years ahead. It’s the only way we’ll build a nation worthy of our children.”
See More: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, US, US Election
