Defeated Democrat John Kerry on Wednesday said the United States must heal dangerous divisions cleaving society, after admitting defeat in the US election to President George Bush.
Kerry said he and Bush had spoken about the need to unite the country, after a toxic and divisive election campaign, when he called to congratulate the president on winning a second term in office.
”We talked about the danger of division in our country and the need, the desperate need, for unity for finding the common ground, coming together. Today, I hope that we can begin the healing.”
Kerry said he realised that after a studying the returns in the state of Ohio — which his aides had refused to concede on Tuesday night, saying tens of thousands of votes were still to be counted, — that he could no beat Bush.
”The outcome should be decided by voters, not a protracted legal process,” Kerry said in a speech at in central Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall.
”I would not give up this fight if there was a chance that we would prevail.
”But it is now clear that even when all the provisional ballots are counted, which they will be, there won’t be enough outstanding votes for us to be able to win Ohio.
”And therefore, we cannot win this election.”
Kerry, often seen as aloof and distant on the campaign trail, appeared deeply moved, and his voice cracked with emotion as he thanked the thousands of local operatives who worked for his campaign.
”I wish I could just wrap you in my arms and embrace each and every one of you individually all across this nation, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
Kerry was greeted by cheers and a standing ovation from supporters packed into the historic hall, after arriving for the speech delivered just an hour before Bush was due to make his victory address in Washington. — Sapa-AFP