George W. Bush: “I congratulate you and thank you for inspiring our country.”

We are heartbroken by the loss of life and the agony so many are feeling.

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

Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.

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