George W. Bush: “I want to congratulate you for that.”

Is it in our interest that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your hard work and God bless you.

If any voters came hoping for a kind word and a hug, they’d have to settle for the kind word.

We know our words cannot help, but we believe the prayers of so many Americans will.

For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence—a time set apart.