Bush Says Obama's Election Is a Victory for Americans

President George W. Bush said the election of Barack Obama as president of the U.S. is a ``dream fulfilled'' for the civil rights movement and a victory for all Americans.

``No matter how they cast their ballot, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday,'' Bush said in a statement from the White House. The election of the first African-American U.S. president is ``especially uplifting for a generation of Americans who witnessed the struggle for civil rights,'' the president said.

President-elect Obama will take over the reins of the U.S. government in 11 weeks. Bush has promised the Illinois senator a seamless transition and has invited Obama, 47, and his family to the White House at their convenience.

Obama swept to victory over Republican Senator John McCain with the help of an electorate soured on the direction of the country and discontent with the president and an economy on the brink of recession. He captured at least 349 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win, the most since former President Bill Clinton's 379 electoral votes in 1996.

``It'll be a stirring sight to watch President Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their beautiful girls step through the doors of the White House,'' Bush said today. ``I know millions of Americans will be overcome with pride at this inspiring moment that so many have waited so long.''

Calls to Obama, McCain

Bush said he called Obama last night to offer congratulations and assure him ``he can count on complete cooperation from my administration as he makes the transition.'' He said he also called McCain and ``congratulated him on a determined campaign.''

``The American people will always be grateful for the lifetime of service John McCain has devoted to this nation, and I know he'll continue to make tremendous contributions to our country,'' Bush said.

The inauguration is set for Jan. 20. The Bush administration has set aside 120,000 square feet of office space in downtown Washington to accommodate Obama's transition staff for the next two months before the new president moves into the White House.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aTnKrFBOVpDI