Democratic Leaders Congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Historic Victory

Strategic Insights -

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received congratulations from a wide array of Democratic leaders after the presidential election was officially called by most major US media outlets. The congratulatory messages came from former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, among others. The reaction to Biden's win was jubilant for Democrats, who have spent four years trying to win back the White House after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's loss to President Donald Trump in 2016.

Key Takeaways:

  • Former President Barack Obama praised Biden, writing that Americans are "fortunate that Joe's got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way."
  • Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered a congratulatory message to Biden and Harris on Twitter, accompanied by an illustration, stating that the voters had chosen a "history-making ticket, a repudiation of Trump, and a new page for America."
  • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has worked closely with Biden for years, sent words of praise to her Democratic colleagues, stating that "We kept the republic!" and congratulating Biden on his victory for the "soul of our country."
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont sent a note of support to the president-elect, wishing them the best as they attempt to bring the nation together around an agenda of economic, social, racial, and environmental justice.
  • Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who ran against the Obama-Biden ticket as the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, sent words of support to the incoming administration, congratulating Biden and Harris and praying that God may bless them in the days and years ahead.
  • Romney's acknowledgement of Biden's victory marked one of the first times a prominent elected Republican had recognized Trump's loss, a move notable for its reaffirmation of democratic processes.

Statistics:

  • Biden becomes the first challenger to defeat an incumbent president since George H.W. Bush lost his 1992 reelection bid to then-Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas.
  • The reaction to Biden's win was jubilant for Democrats, who have spent four years trying to win back the White House after Hillary Clinton's loss to Trump in 2016.

Sources:

  • Twitter: @BarackObama (@BarackObama)
  • Twitter: @HillaryClinton (@HillaryClinton)
  • Twitter: @SpeakerPelosi (@SpeakerPelosi)
  • Twitter: @BernieSanders (@BernieSanders)
  • Twitter: @MittRomney (@MittRomney)