A congratulatory message from a heavyweight of the Republican Party that is not trivial.
Former President George W. Bush, whose victory in 2000 had been wrested from the courts, telephoned Joe Biden this Sunday to congratulate him on his victory in a "
fundamentally honest
" election, with "
clear
"
results
.
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"
Despite our political differences, I know that Joe Biden is a good man who has won the opportunity to lead and unify our country,
" the former tenant of the White House (2001-2009) wrote in a statement. .
In his victory speech Saturday night in Wilmington, "
the president-elect reiterated that he had been the Democratic candidate but that he would lead the country for all Americans
", recalled George W. Bush, thanking him for this "
patriotic message
”.
At a time when Donald Trump refuses to concede his victory, arguing irregularities in the electoral process, George W. Bush underlined the record of participation in the poll, a sign according to him of the good “
health of
American
democracy
”.
"
President Trump has the right to call for recounts and file legal remedies and all outstanding issues will be resolved,
" he wrote.
But, he added, "
Americans can have confidence in this honest election, the integrity of which will be confirmed and the outcome of which is clear
."
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During the 2000 campaign, George W. Bush and his Democratic rival Al Gore reached neck and neck in the key state of Florida.
A little more than 500 votes ahead, the Democrat had asked for a recount of thousands of ballots ignored by the voting machines.
But the Supreme Court had interrupted him on the grounds of a lack of time, and George W. Bush had become the 43rd President of the United States despite his delay in the popular vote at the national level.
Donald Trump, who is probably hoping for a similar outcome, has threatened to appeal to the Supreme Court.