Former President George W. Bush congratulates Joe Biden: "He is a good man who has earned this opportunity"

Vice President Al Gore receives President-elect George W. Bush after accepting the election result, in December 2000. Gary Hershorn / Reuters

The last Republican president before Donald Trump, George W. Bush, congratulated Joe Biden as president-elect on Sunday after the projection of results on Saturday.

"Although we have political differences, I know that Joe Biden is a good man who has earned the opportunity to unite and lead our country."

Former President Bush's statement would be just a courtesy in any other election, and not particularly relevant.

But Bush issued his congratulations as Republican leaders on Capitol Hill chanted President Trump's conspiracy theory that his election was stolen.

At noon Sunday, Bush was the top Republican in the United States to end the election.

"I just spoke with the president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden," begins the statement, sent to the media this Sunday at 11:30, Dallas time, where Bush has his residence.

“I have given you my heartfelt congratulations and I have thanked you for the patriotic message you gave last night (for Saturday).

I have also called Kamala Harris to congratulate her on her historic election as vice president. "

Bush highlights in his message that "the president-elect has reiterated that, although he has run as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans."

Statement by President George W. Bush: https://t.co/Bsbv8k1nho pic.twitter.com/O7CLtEvxk0

- George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) November 8, 2020

Former President Bush experienced the most contested election in the United States when he won the State of Florida by just a few hundred votes in 2000 against then-Democratic Vice President Al Gore.

Evidence of errors on the Florida ballots sparked a phenomenal court battle over the counting of votes that made its way to the Supreme Court.

After more than a month of intrigue, the Supreme Court halted the counting of the votes and

granted

the presidency to Bush.

That precedent is the one that President Donald Trump now intends to use to contest the electoral scrutiny that has given Biden victory in several key states, in a count that is being very slow due to the unprecedented number of votes by mail.

Trump's legal team is filing lawsuits in every state where the score is tight - Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada - looking for so-called "illegal votes" that should not be counted.

In five days they have not managed to show a single proof of their claims, but Trump clings to this conspiracy theory to refuse to accept the result, something unheard of in American democracy.

Bush addresses this issue directly in his statement.

First, he congratulates Trump for getting more than 70 million votes and ensures that "their voices will be heard."

But it goes on to warn: “President Trump has the right to request a recount and raise objections in court, and any unresolved issue will be decided appropriately.

People can trust that this election has been fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and the outcome is clear. "

Bush concludes: "We ask all Americans to join us in wishing our next president and vice president the best as they prepare to take on their important duties."

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