Obama says ‘best is yet to come’ in victory speech
US President Barack Obama celebrates on stage with his daughters Sasha (2nd L) and Malia (R) and his wife Michelle in Chicago on Nov 7, 2012. — Photo by AFP
CHICAGO: President Barack Obama told cheering supporters early Wednesday that “the best is yet to come” for the United States as he stormed to a second term by defeating Republican Mitt Romney.
After taking the stage at a raucous Chicago victory party with wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia, Obama returned to the themes of his re-election bid, vowing to fight for the middle class and the American dream.
“In this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up. We have fought our way back,” Obama told hundreds of cheering supporters.
“We know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come.”
Obama said he had spoken to Romney, congratulating him and his running mate Paul Ryan on a “hard-fought campaign” and vowing to sit down with the former Massachusetts governor to discuss the way forward.
“We may have battled fiercely but it’s only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future,” Obama said.
“In the weeks ahead I also look forward to sitting down with governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.”
Obama reached out to those who supported his opponent in the closely-fought race, saying: “Whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you. I have learned from you. You’ve made me a better president.
“With your stories and your struggles I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead,” he said.
“Despite all the hardship we’ve been through, despite all the frustrations of Washington, I’ve never been more hopeful about our future. I have never been more hopeful about America.”
Obama thanked the army of campaign workers and volunteers whose efforts secured his re-election to a second four-year term, calling them the “best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics”.
Near the end of his speech Obama hinted at a more far-reaching agenda in his second term despite the lingering partisan gridlock in Washington, calling for a future that “isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet”.
“I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggest. We’re not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of individual ambitions,” Obama said.
“Together with your help and God’s grace we will continue our journey forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on earth. Thank you, America. God bless you. God bless these United States.”
For more special coverage on the US Elections including exclusive blogs, features, comments, analysis and multimedia from correspondents around the world, go to: US Elections 2012 In-depth
American policy is not changed this was just formability.and America is not well wisher for Muslims.
Awesome. Love Obama and Democracy. Democracy is to win and will.
Along with Bush, Obama has been the worst US president in last 30 years or so, yet, both won the 2nd term, strange. US economy will get worse and debt will be an unbelievable burden. Romney would have been a better choice, I voted for him,alas, all history now. I’m a US citizen, very concerned for my children’s future.
He is the best President in American history.
His victory symbolizes the diversity of US. Pakistanis are watching this continent through a narrow prism of ‘Drone Strikes’. His victory will bring the Afghan War to an end.
He is the man who keeps his promises intact. Wishing him all the best for his new term. Great hope for a peaceful world. .
Glad that Republicans did not get the White House.
We in the cities of Pakistan can now come out of our bomb shelters – for the next 4 years at least.
It means Drone attacks are supported by US people…
According to a Major survey only 5% of US citizens care about foreign policy. So do you think they really are worried about us in Pakistan??
I understand your resentment. But would you have preferred Romney be elected? He might surround himself with neocon advisors from the last administration. Think whether Pakistan was better off, while George W. Bush was in office!
Obama has deserved to be re-elected. While he is not popular in Pakistan, elsewhere he enjoys a high profile and is respected by world leaders.
Heartiest Congratulations to Mr. Obama and Democrats and to all democracy lovers around the world
yes Muhammad only we can Congrats them
My heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Obama and USA for electing once again a person who knows what is poverty and how to move forward.
Yes, Obama knows what is poverty and how to increase it. He did just the same, hence created more votes for himself. Just what PPP has done here in Pakistan.
This is a Lesson in Democracy as voted here I thought how many countries in the world will allow me to be a citizen and vote in election.I never thought an Afro American is electable as President in this country as Midwest constituency difficult to win as a minority candidate.I am really proud of USA as he promises to withdraw out of Afghanistan as he did with Iraq and less involvement with boots on ground.
Congratulations to Obama and his supporters both in and out of the United States.
Heartfelt condolences to Pakistanis, especially the rightists, who wished (rather nonsensically) for a Romney victory
Hi Obama
This re-election is the clear message to you that now you have to elimintae the wars and bring the peace to the world and spread the love as people throughout the globe has supported your policies of peace and human welfare. This time you should do what we expected to come in shape of freedom and affection for those nation under brutality and anarchy
Please make your self a president that world could recal you as the president of the first choice by designing peace, sound health and knowledge based policies and reunite the world for the glory of humanity
From
Tahseen Ahmed Bhutto
You forgot, this is his 2nd term, he didn’t do it in his 1st term, why expect something positive from him now.