Nov. 8 (UPI) — President Joe Biden addressed the nation Thursday from the White House vowing a peaceful transfer of power.
In the speech, Biden said congratulated Donald Trump on winning the election and also spoke with Vice President Harris.
“Yesterday I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory,” Biden said, “And I assured him that I will direct my entire administration to work with his team to assure a peaceful and orderly transition. That’s what the American people deserve.”
“Yesterday I also spoke with Vice President Harris,” Biden said. “She’s been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much. Her character. She has a backbone like a ramrod. She has great character, true character.”
He added, “She gave her whole heart and effort. And she and her entire team should be proud of the campaign they ran.”
“The struggle for the soul of America since our very founding has always been an ongoing debate and is still vital today,” Biden said. “I know for some people, it’s a time for victory to state the obvious. For others it’s a time of loss. Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country made.”
“I’ve said many times can’t love your country only when you win,” he said. “You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree. Something I hope we can do no matter who you voted for is see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans, Bring down the temperature.”
He said we should also lay aside questions about the integrity of the American electoral system.
“It is honest. It is fair and it is transparent. And it can be trusted, win or lose,” Biden said.
He called for the restoration of the respect for all election workers. He said Americans should thank them for staffing voting sites as they count the votes, protecting the integrity of the electoral system.
“I will do my duty as president,” Biden said. “I’ll fulfill my oath. I will honor the Constitution. On Jan. 20, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.”
He thanked his staff and told them, “I know it’s a difficult time. You’re hurting. I hear you and I see you. But don’t forget. Don’t forget all that we’ve accomplished. It’s been a historic presidency.”
He said his was a presidency for all Americans and the work the administration has done has already been felt by the American people, but the vast majority of it will be felt over the next 10 years.
He said what was accomplished on infrastructure and other issues was historic.
“We’re going to see over a trillion dollars worth of infrastructure work done, changing people’s lives in rural communities and communities that are in real difficulty,” Biden said. “It takes time to get it done.”
He said the road ahead is clear, assuming we sustain it.
“We’re leaving behind the strongest economy in the world,” the president said. “I know people are still hurting, but things are changing rapidly. Together we’ve changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish the term, our term. Let’s make every day count.”
“Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable,” Biden said. “We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back upour character depends on how fast we get back up.
Remember a defeat does not mean that we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up.”
He said that’s the story of America for over 240 years and counting.
“The American experiment endures,” Biden said. “We’re going to be OK. But we need to stay engaged, We need to keep going, And above all we need to keep the faith.”
