Speeches, Remarks & Statements

Remarks by Ambassador Philip T. Reeker at the U.S. Presidential Election Celebration 2008

November 5, 2008

-To see the video footage of the speech, please click here. [size 11MB]
- Statement of Ambassador Philip T. Reeker. [A2 TV video footage - size 7 MB] 

Every four years we have an opportunity, not just in our country, the United States, but around the world, to watch the important process of our democracy as it moves forward to choose a new president.  Today is indeed an historic day in the United States.  As you have seen, Barack Obama, Democratic Senator of the State of Illinois, has been elected the 44^th President of the United States

Our Embassy is very pleased to be able to host this event today to give you a chance to talk among each other, talk with me and my colleagues, others from the United States, about not only the results, but the process of our election.  I think we’ve all watched now for almost two years, perhaps the longest election campaign in history, and the result is in.  We are still watching for the details of elections in the United States Senate and in the House of Representatives and these will be important elections as well as our government transitions and moves forward to face challenges both at home in the United States and abroad in terms of foreign policy.

Ambassador Reeker and DCM Tom Navratil discuss the election outcome with Parliament Speaker Veljanoski (LP)	Ambassador Reeker speaks about the historic election with Macedonian media (LP)

I think it is important to note today the message from both candidates.  President Elect Obama accepted and acknowledged his election but also his opponent Senator John McCain of Arizona graciously conceded the election and congratulated Senator Obama on his victory.  The civility and smooth transfer of power is an important product of our process.  We will now watch over the next couple of months what we call transition as the Obama team prepares to take office on the 20^th of January. 

Indeed I think this is an important and historic day for my country and for the world.  This suggests the entrance of a new generation given President Elect Obama’s age and indeed it says something about the United States.  For the first time we elected an African American for our president.  It shows I think that in democracy many things can happen.  Most important is that the people participated this time in record numbers, turning out to vote all across America and Americans abroad voting through absentee ballots.

There has been exceptionally high interest in this presidential election and I’ve said repeatedly since I’ve arrived in Macedonia a little over a month ago that however this turns out actually there will be continuity in American foreign policy particularly in terms of our relationship with the Republic of Macedonia.  With our strong ties, I’ve said many times, Macedonia has no better friend than the United States and we expect that it will continue in the months and years and decades ahead. 

I think that it is also important to note that Senator McCain remains a Senator and will return to the United States Senate representing the State of Arizona as a Republican and being part of an opposition.  In our system and in many democracies opposition plays an extraordinarily important role.  So, I know many of you today consider yourselves Republican supporters.  Perhaps you were eager to see a McCain victory.  But, what is important to know is that really we are all winners because this democratic process has taken place and our Republic will continue to play the important role, the leadership role throughout the world. 

Vice Consul Charles Hornbostel leads a game of Electoral College (LP)

So, I want to thank all of you for coming.  I myself will be flying to Washington tomorrow, not to meet the President Elect but to have some meetings with my colleagues in the state Department and as you know then to join the Macedonian colleagues on a business forum in California and later in Chicago.  Maybe we can meet Senator Obama, President Elect Obama there, but I expect he will have a few more important things on his agenda next week.   I am very much looking forward to that opportunity and it will also be an excellent opportunity for our Macedonian colleagues to experience first hand the United States in these days after this historic and important election. 

All of us want to congratulate I think the American people for following through this important process and I want to thank you and all people in Macedonia for your interest in our elections, for coming here today.  I want to thank Ryan and his team for organizing this event.  The most important thing is that there is still plenty of coffee.  This is not the type of morning that is the best for many of us.  So please, enjoy the coffee and I am looking forward to talking to more of you.  Once again thank you very much and congratulations to all.