President Barack Obama on Tuesday was
elected to a second term.
Hours after major networks called the
election for Obama, his Republican rival, Mitt Romney, conceded
defeat.
Romney was brief in his concession
speech, congratulating the president on his win.
“I have just called President Obama
to congratulate him on his victory,” Romney told a crowd in Boston.
“His supporters and his campaign also deserve congratulations.”
“This is a time of great challenges
for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in
guiding our nation.”
Romney called his running mate,
Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, “the best choice I've ever made”
besides his wife, Ann.
“I so wish – I so wish that I had
been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different
direction, but the nation chose another leader. And so, Ann and I
join with you to earnestly pray for him and this great nation.”
Appearing in Chicago, Obama addressed
supporters for nearly 25 minutes.
“I just spoke with Governor Romney
and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign,”
Obama said in his victory speech. “We may have battled fiercely,
but it's only because we love this country deeply and we care
strongly about its future.”
“America, I believe we can build on
the progress we've made and continue to fight for new jobs and new
opportunity and new security for the middle class. I believe we can
keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you're willing to
work hard, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or
what you look like or who you love. It doesn't matter whether you're
black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or
old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it
here in America if you're willing to try,” he added.