Obama speaks highly of McCain’s sacrifices to America, while McCain encourages Americans to come together

By Jenny Taft

BOSTON- After what may be one of the most memorable presidential races of all time, democratic presidential nominee Barack Hussein Obama accepted his presidency with poise, giving a speech that reminded Americans how their voices made a difference in the election.

Speaking moments after McCain, Obama moved his crowd to tears as he spoke to thousands of his supporters in Chicago’s Grand Park about the change that Americans can believe in. Obama confidently opened his speech by addressing the nation “If there is anyone out there, who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonder if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” he said.

Obama spoke about the struggles that Americans have dealt with and overcome and about the strength of the American people. He mentioned a woman named Anne Nixon Cooper, a 106-year-old woman, who today, was able to vote for the president of the United States.

Obama also discussed the “extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain” congratulating him. Obama spoke highly of McCain, and all that he has achieved in the election and also through serving America. “He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us can not begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader,” Obama said.

In a powerful conclusion to the first speech that president elect Barack Obama gave to the American people, he spoke about taking advantage of the time and the chance Americans have to enact this change. “This is our moment, this is our time, to put our people back to work, open doors of opportunity for our kids, to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace, to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that out that of many we are one, that while we breathe we hope, and where we are met with doubt and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed, that sums up the spirit of the people: Yes, we can,” Obama said.

Before Obama gave his victory speech, the American people heard from Republican John McCain, who did not hesitate to congratulate Obama for a race well run. He began his speech by pointing out that Obama was not shy in his efforts to persuade the young people of America to get out and let their voices be heard.

“He managed to do so by inspiring hopes of so many millions of Americans, who once wrongly believed that they had little at stake, or little influence in the election of the American President, is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving,” said McCain, addressing a small crowd in Phoenix.

McCain discussed how far America has come over the years, but now more than ever, American people need to come together as one.

“I urge all Americans who supported me, to join me, in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger better country then we inherited,” he said.
Obama speaks highly of McCain’s sacrifices to America, while McCain encourages Americans to come together