McCain congratulates Obama on projected victory, pledges help

Source: Xinhua | 11-05-2008 13:22

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Tuesday night congratulated his Democratic rival Barack Obama on the latter's projected victory inthe presidential election.

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) speaks during his election night rally with his wife Cindy (R) and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in Phoenix November 4, 2008.REUTERS/Brian Snyder

According to ABC News, Obama, a first-term senator from Illinois, is projected to have won 338 electoral votes, far exceeding the 270 minimum votes needed to win the presidency.

In a speech after conceding defeat, McCain urged all Americans to join him in congratulating Obama on his projected victory in the presidential election.

"I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him leadus through the many challenges we face," McCain said before his supporters in Phoenix, Arizona.

McCain's running mate, Governor Sarah Palin, was standing beside him, with tears in her eyes.

With his projected victory, Obama will become the country's 44th president.

Tuesday also marked the end of the longest presidential campaign season in U.S. history -- 21 months.

Noting that Obama has "achieved a great thing for his country,"McCain also urged all Americans to solve the many challenges that the country faces.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei