President Bush declared victory to the nation Wednesday afternoon following the concession of former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
Bush spoke at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington approximately one hour after Kerry spoke to supporters in Massachusetts.
The president began his speech by acknowledging his opponent.
\Senator Kerry waged a spirited campaign and he and his supporters can be proud of their efforts,"" he said.
The president touched on plans for the future, promising to reform the tax code and strengthen Social Security in his term ahead.
Bush also thanked his campaign team and voters for their support during the campaign.
""America has spoken, and I'm humbled by the trust and confidence of my fellow citizens,"" he said. ""With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans, and I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your president.""
Bush closed his speech with words of hope.
""A campaign has ended, and the United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith,"" he said. ""I see a great day coming for our country, and I am eager for the work ahead.""
Earlier Wednesday, Kerry urged unity in a speech at Faneuil Hall in Boston.
""We are required now to work together for the good of our country,"" he said.
Kerry stressed the importance of counting every vote, but added the number of votes outstanding in Ohio were insufficient for a win.
Kerry spoke about the importance of succeeding in the war on terror, and urged President Bush to help ""bridge the partisan divide.""
Kerry ended his speech on an uplifting note. ""So with a grateful heart, I leave this campaign with a prayer,"" he said. ""That prayer is very simple: God bless America. Thank you.""
Many voters found Kerry's quick concession unexpected, having foreseen a drawn-out election process.
""I was surprised when John Kerry conceded this morning,"" said Ohio State University political science Professor Herb Weisberg. ""I had assumed that they would hold it out until the end.""
Political analysts believed the Kerry campaign made the right choice in conceding. ""Even had they held out a slim bit of hope ... in Ohio, which was unlikely, the other states didn't look good either,"" said Shawn J. Parry-Giles, political science professor at the University of Maryland.
Parry-Giles cited social values as a major mobilizing force in the election. In Ohio, voters passed an amendment barring the state from recognizing same-sex domestic partnership with 62 percent of the vote.
Parry-Giles said Democrats must better address moral issues. ""You may see a move further to the right, trying to court the swing voters who are more interested in these social values issues,"" she said.
Supreme Court nominations and concerns over abortion rights and affirmative action may also play a role in galvanizing the left.
UW emeritus Professor of political science Charles Jones said the Republican Party ran a better national campaign.
""Kerry just abandoned one whole area of the country, and it's one of the fastest growing areas,"" he said referring to the South.
Jones added Bush faces concerns from within the Republican Party.
""There are many members of his party ... who are disturbed by the deficits and that he has not been more attentive to that,"" he said.
Weisberg said he feels the president's current position gives him a unique opportunity.
""He doesn't have to worry about getting re-elected with [right-wing supporters],"" he said. ""And if he wants to unify the country, he's got that opportunity.\
