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Today we celebrate the strength of our democracy. In record numbers, Americans from all over this country exercised their right to vote, and made their voices heard. This turnout confirms our commitment to democratic ideals that we can all be proud of. We sincerely thank the poll workers who worked tirelessly to ensure that this election was safe, fair and accessible. They exemplify the spirit of service that sustains our democracy.
I also congratulate President Trump on his victory. He is our president, and I am committed to supporting him in moving this country forward. Also deserving of our praise is Vice President Kamala Harris, who delivered her concession speech with dignity this afternoon. The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of our democracy, and his commitment to that tradition deserves our respect and admiration.
As we reflect on this election, one lesson becomes clear: The candidate who appeals to the sane majority of Americans—the center—wins. Yes, there were louder voices from both sides of the aisle for their candidates. But no party alone could lift this election. It is the sane majority of our nation that has made the difference.
In winning the election, Trump’s success went beyond the battlefield
It’s also true that candidates who campaign toward the moderate middle but govern their base often end up regretting their decision. This was true for both President Trump in 2016 and President Biden in 2020. Each used his first term to meet the extremes of his party. And in each case the voters punished them in the next election.
In this 2024 election, Trump was once again the candidate able to connect with the concerns of the sane majority — prioritizing the economy, securing our borders, and meeting the basic needs of working Americans. I urge President Trump and my Republican colleagues in Congress to remember who put them in office.
CNN and MSNBC became reliable anti-Trump echo chambers during his first term. (Jovani Hernandez/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Let me be clear: this victory was not a victory for extremism and is a rejection of the narrative that our country is so paralyzed by polarization that it is unable to find common ground. The truth is that there remains a strong, sane middle in America, looking for leaders who will offer real, practical solutions to their everyday problems. Year after year, it calls for moderate change – not just for change’s sake, but because it has grown disillusioned with the many empty promises of leaders who, once elected, ignore the center. And lean towards the party.
If a leader or party wants to win a sustainable majority in America, it has to deliver for a sensible majority. They should prioritize policies with broad appeal, policies that meet the needs of working families. This is what governing by the middle looks like, and it is essential if we hope to restore trust in our institutions.
It is equally important that we protect and safeguard the checks and balances that sustain our democracy. In an age of extremism, how we value our laws is as important as what laws we pass. For example, the 60-vote limit in the Senate — the filibuster — requires both parties to work together and prevents one party from imposing sweeping changes whenever power changes. It takes consensus and common sense to make America great. This cannot, and should not, be a party line vote.
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Now that the election is behind us, I invite all Americans to join me in putting partisanship aside and focusing on a path to renewed prosperity. The demonization of our countrymen must end. I hope that together we can find the necessary compromises that will restore prosperity, protect our security in an unstable world, and leave a better country for our children and grandchildren.
President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vokey) (AP Photo/Evan Vokey)
I wish President Trump success in this endeavor because at the end of the day, when our president succeeds, our country succeeds. Healing and unity will not be easy, but they are necessary if we are to solve the critical problems facing American families today.
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History has shown us time and time again that Americans are tough and resilient. We have weathered civil wars, endured the loss of leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and emerged stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic. Each time, we have triumphed because our democracy and our people are united in shared values and strength.
This moment calls for us to renew our commitment to one another and to the ideals that define us as a nation. We can, and we must, move forward together. With unity, purpose and respect, there is no challenge we cannot face.
