President George W. Bush
Documents & Texts from the White House
08 November 2008
President's Radio Address
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Earlier this week, more than 120 million
Americans went to the polls and voted for a new President and Congress. No
matter how we cast our ballots, all Americans have reason to be proud of
our democracy. Our citizens have chosen a President who represents a
triumph of the American story -- a testament to hard work, optimism, and
faith in the enduring promise of our Nation.
When I called President-Elect Obama to congratulate him on his historic victory, I told him that he can count on my complete cooperation as he makes his transition to the White House. Ensuring that this transition is seamless is a top priority for the rest of my time in office. Our country
faces economic challenges that will not pause to let a new President settle in. This will also be America's first wartime presidential transition in four decades. We're in a struggle against violent extremists determined to attack us -- and they would like nothing more than to exploit this period of change to harm the American people.
So my Administration will work hard to ensure that the next President and his team can hit the ground running. For more than a year now, the White
House and agencies throughout the Federal government have been preparing
for a smooth transition. We've provided intelligence briefings to the
President-Elect, and the Department of Justice has approved security
clearances for members of his transition staff. In the coming weeks, we
will ask Administration officials to brief the Obama team on major ongoing
policy issues, ranging from the financial markets to the war in Iraq. I
will keep the President-Elect fully informed on important decisions during
this critical time for our Nation. Taken together, these measures
represent an unprecedented effort to ensure continuity throughout the
executive branch.
A successful transition is just one of the many important tasks remaining
for my Administration. Yesterday we learned that America's economy lost
jobs in the month of October, and I will continue working hard to return
our Nation to the path of prosperity and growth. To help address the
global financial crisis, my Administration will host an historic
international summit in Washington on November 15. We will also keep
urging Congress to approve America's free trade agreements with Colombia
and Panama and South Korea. We will continue working to defeat the
terrorists and extremists abroad, to keep the American people safe here at
home.
Americans expect their President to conduct the people's business. I will
continue to uphold this solemn obligation for as long as this office
remains in my trust. In the meantime, I join the American people in
wishing President-Elect Obama every success. Laura and I wish the Obama
family as much joy and happiness as our family has found in this wonderful
house.
Thank you for listening.
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