Bush congratulates Biden on win, says elections were 'fundamentally fair'

Former Republican President George W Bush has extended words of congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden, whose victory was announced yesterday, CNN reports. Bush, among others, reiterated that the 2020 Presidential elections were "fundamentally fair" and that its "outcomes were clear." The exchange took place over a phone call on Sunday, following the announcement of the results. As the only living former Republican President (apart from Donald Trump), his gesture was particularly exemplary. Even more so as the outgoing has thus far refused to concede the elections, taking to the courthouse in multiple key states across the country. Meanwhile, Biden is set to begin his time at the White House.

In a statement from Bush, he claimed he had called both Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Sunday. "Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country," he stated. "The President-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can." The gesture has been widely appreciated.

In the same statement, the former Republican President also congratulated Trump on a "hard-fought campaign." He noted the outgoing President's "extraordinary political achievement" of achieving 70 million votes from Americans across the country. This is the second-highest number of votes in history, just behind competitor Biden. Bush affirmed, "They have spoken, and their voices will continue to be heard through elected Republicans at every level of government." This is, of course, true in some sense as the President-elect has reiterated on several occasions that he plans to be a President for all Americans, not just those who support the Democratic Party.

Bush also made sure to establish the fact that the 2020 Presidential elections were held under fair and free circumstances, doing his best to negate falsities about mail-in ballots and voter fraud. He said, "The American people can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear." Since leaving office in January 2009, when former President Barack Obama entered the White House, Bush has also remained outside of larger political life. He has evidently broken his silence at a time when it matters most to the American people.

"The challenges that face our country will demand the best of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris—and the best of us all," Bush concluded. "We must come together for the sake of our families and neighbors, and for our nation and its future. There is no problem that will not yield to the gathered will of free people. Laura and I pray for our leaders and their families. We ask for God's continued blessings on our country. And we urge all Americans to join us in wishing our next President and Vice President well as they prepare to take up their important duties."