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President George W. Bush said Wednesday (11/5/08) that he had congratulated Barack Obama on his historic election as the first black president of the United States, saying that voters had “showed a watching world the vitality of America’s democracy and the strides we have made toward a more perfect union.”

The president, in brief remarks from the White House Rose Garden, also said he had spoken last night to Senator John McCain to congratulate him on what Bush called “a determined campaign.”

“The American people will always be grateful for the lifetime of service John McCain has devoted to this nation,” Bush said, adding that he felt certain that the Arizona senator would “continue to make tremendous contributions.”

Here is video of George W. Bush making a public statement from the Rose Garden of the White House to congratulate President-Elect Obama.

The president, who will hand over power to Obama on Jan. 20 in what surely will be one of the most widely watched inaugurations ever, promised to do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition.

Continue reading ‘Video: George W. Bush Congrats President-Elect Obama from the Rose Garden of the White House’