Former President Barack Obama congratulated President-elect Donald Trump’s astounding victory in the election and blamed inflation as the cause of the Democrats’ devastating defeat.
Obama made a statement Wednesday afternoon, after Election Day, about the time at which Vice President Kamala Harris finished her concession speech at Howard University in Washington D.C.
Obama wrote: “The results are in and we would like to congratulate Senator Vance and President Trump on their victories. This is not the result we had hoped, given our profound differences with the Republican ticket on a wide range of issues. In a democratic society, it is important to recognize that your point of view may not always be the one that wins and to be willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power.”
Trump’s support appears to be increasing in nearly all demographics and states, even though the voting is still being tabulated. Some people have predicted that Republicans have taken control of the U.S. Senate and that the fate of the House of Representatives is still unknown.
Obama blamed the pandemic, and inflation that resulted from it, for the devastating losses of his party.
Obama added: “Michelle and I could not be more proud of Vice President Harris, and Governor Walz. They are two extraordinary public servants who ran an amazing campaign. As I said during the campaign, America has gone through a great deal in the past few years. From a pandemic that caused price increases to rapid changes and a feeling among many people that they are only able to tread water, no matter how much they work. These conditions have caused headwinds to democratic incumbents all over the world. Last night’s results showed that America was not immune.”
According to polls, high inflation and the current state of the economy are among the top concerns for voters.
“The good thing is that these issues are solvable, but only if both sides listen to one another and abide by democratic norms and constitutional principles that have made this nation great. We won’t always agree on everything in a large and diverse country like ours. “But progress requires that we extend grace and good faith to those with whom you disagree,” Obama said.
He concluded, “This is how we have come so far and how we will continue to build a country more equal, fair, and free.”
Harris stated in her concession speech she had congratulated Trump, his running mate JDVance, and promised to facilitate a peaceful power transfer.
