Ambassador Michael W. Michalak

OpEd: An Historic Election and a Peaceful Transition

November 7, 2008

Earlier this week, across the United States, throughout Vietnam and around the globe, citizens of the world joined with Americans to watch the results of the longest U.S. election season in history.  The election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States is a groundbreaking and historic event for many reasons, including the election of the first African-American to serve in the highest office of our nation. 

While the election has been long and the debates sometimes harsh, President-Elect Obama has committed to drawing Americans together regardless of their party associations, and to reaching out to our friends around the world.  As he said in his acceptance speech, “And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand…To those who seek peace and security - we support you.  And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.”  

Once again, the United States will transition from one government administration to another.  Once again, the United States government is putting in place the procedures and processes to do that peacefully, efficiently and positively.  Nothing demonstrates this better than President Bush’s immediate and positive response to the election of the President-Elect.  In his message of congratulation to Barack Obama, he said the following statement from the White House: 

“No matter how they cast their ballots, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday.  Across the country, citizens voted in large numbers.  They showed a watching world the vitality of America's democracy, and the strides we have made toward a more perfect union.   They chose a President whose journey represents a triumph of the American story -- a testament to hard work, optimism, and faith in the enduring promise of our nation.

Many of our citizens thought they would never live to see that day.  This moment is especially uplifting for a generation of Americans who witnessed the struggle for civil rights with their own eyes -- and four decades later see dream fulfilled.  A long campaign has now ended, and we move forward as one nation.”

Vietnam can be confident that the issues on which we work together will continue as priorities for the United States.  We continue to share so many regional goals and so many values as individuals and proud citizens of our nations.    I hope the people of Vietnam join me and my fellow Americans here throughout this wonderful country in congratulating our next President and reaffirming our commitment to the growing success of our bilateral relationship.