'We must seize this moment and deliver'

Edited text of President-elect George W Bush's victory speech

Special report: the US elections

guardian.co.uk, Friday 15 December 2000 02.12 GMT

Good evening my fellow Americans, Our country has been through a long and trying period, with the outcome of the presidential election not finalised for longer than any of us could have ever imagined. Vice-president Gore and I put our hearts and hopes into our campaigns; we both gave it our all. We shared similar emotions.

This evening I received a gracious call from the vice-president. We agreed to meet early next week in Washington and we agreed to do our best to heal our country after this hard-fought contest.

I am thankful for America and thankful that we are able to resolve our electoral differences in a peaceful way.

I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and deliver. Together, guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common goals, we can unite and inspire the American citizens.

Together, we will work to make all our public schools excellent, teaching every student of every background and every accent, so that no child is left behind. Together, we will save social security and renew its promise of a secure retirement for generations to come.

Together, we will strengthen Medicare and offer prescription drug coverage to all of our seniors. Together, we will give Americans the broad, fair and fiscally responsible tax relief they deserve.

Together, we'll have a bipartisan foreign policy true to our values and true to our friends. And we will have a military equal to every challenge, and superior to every adversary.

During the fall campaign, we differed about details of these proposals - but there was remarkable consensus about the important issues before us: excellent schools, retirement and health security, tax relief, a strong military, a more civil society. I was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation. The president of the United States is the president of every single American, of every race and every background. Whether you voted for me or not, I will do my best to serve your interests, and I will work to earn your respect.

The presidency is more than an honour, it is more than an office. It is a charge to keep, and I will give it my all. Thank you very much, and God bless America.

Key rulings
US supreme court rulings
Florida supreme court rulings

Photo gallery
After the vote, before the ruling

Interactive
Results declared, state by state

Audio
'People are beginning to ask questions'
3 December 2000: Julian Borger in Tallahassee on the black voters denied their rights. (2mins 24)

Local media
Miami Herald
Tallahassee Democrat
Palm Beach Post
Sun Sentinel
St Petersburg Times
Key Florida statutes