“Twenty-four hours [ago] we were behind in Georgia, and now we are ahead and we’re going to win that state. Twenty-four hours ago, we were behind in Pennsylvania and we are going to win Pennsylvania. And now we are ahead, but we are winning in Arizona, winning in Nevada, and in fact, our lead just doubled in Nevada.
“We are on track to [win] over 300 electoral votes, Electoral College votes, and look at the national numbers. We’re going to win this race [with] a clear majority, with the nation behind us.
“We have gotten over 74 million votes. Let me repeat that, 74 million votes. That’s more than any presidential ticket has ever gotten in the history of the United States of America. And our vote total is still growing. We are beating Donald Trump over 4 million votes. And that is a margin that is still growing as well.
“One of the things I am especially proud of is how well we have done across America. And we’re to be the first Democrat to win in Arizona in 24 years. We’re going to be the first Democrat to win Georgia in 28 years. And we have rebuilt the blue wall in the middle of the country that crumbled just four years ago. Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin. Heartland of this nation.
“I know watching these vote tallies on TV moves very slowly and as low as it goes, it can be numbing, but never forget the tallies are not just numbers. They represent votes and voters. Men and women who exercised the fundamental right to have their voice heard.
“And what is becoming clear each hour is that record numbers of Americans, of all races, faiths, religions, chose change over more of the same. They have given us a mandate for action, on COVID, the economy, climate change, systemic racism. They made it clear they want the country to come together, not continue to pull apart. The people spoke. More than 74 million Americans, and they spoke loudly for our ticket.
“But while we’re waiting for the final I want people to know we’re not waiting to get the work done, we will start the process. Yesterday, Senator Harris and I held meetings with groups of experts on public health and economic, and the economic crisis this country is facing.
“The pandemic, as you also know, is getting more worrisome all across the country. Daily cases are skyrocketing. And it is now believed that we could spike, see as many as 200,000 cases in a single day. The death toll is approaching 240,000 lives lost in this virus. That’s 240,000 empty chairs at kitchen tables and dining room tables all across America. We will never be able to measure all that pain and loss. The suffering that so many families have experienced.
“We know something about what it feels like to lose someone. And I want them to know they are not alone. Our hearts spoke with you. We want everyone, everyone to know on day one, we’re to put our plan to control this virus into action. We cannot save any of the lives lost, any of those that have been lost, but we can save a lot of lives in the months ahead.
“Senator Harris and I also heard yesterday about how this recovery is slowing because of the failure to get the pandemic under control. More than 20 million people are on unemployment. Millions are worried about making rent. In putting food on the table. Our economic plan will put a focus on a path to a strong recovery.
“Look, we both know tensions are high. They can be high. After a tough election, one that we have had. But we need to remember we have to remain calm. Patient. Let the process work out. As we count all of the votes. You know, we are proving again what we have proved the 244 years in this country – democracy works. Your vote will be counted. I don’t care how hard people try to stop it. I will not let it happen. The people will be heard.
“Our journey is toward a more perfect union, and it keeps moving on. In America, we hold strong views, we have strong disagreements, and that is OK. The strong disagreements are inevitable in a democracy and strong disagreements are healthy. They are a sign of a vigorous debate, of deeply held views.
“But we have to remember the purpose of our politics is not total, unrelenting, unending warfare. No, the purpose of our politics, the work of the nation, isn’t to flame… fan the flames of conflict but to solve problems. To guarantee justice, to give everybody a fair shot. And to improve the lives of our people. We may be opponents but we are not enemies. We are Americans.
“No matter who you voted for, I am certain of one thing – the vast majority of almost 150 million Americans voted, they want to get the vitriol out of our politics. We are certainly not going to agree on a lot of issues but at least we can agree to be level with one another.
“We have to put the anger and the demonisation behind us, to be civil with one another. This time for us to come together a nation to be healed. It will not be easy but we have to try.
“My responsibility as President will be to represent the whole nation and I want you to know that I will work as hard for those who voted against me as those who voted for me. That’s the job, that’s the job. It’s called the duty of care. For all Americans. We have serious problems to deal with. COVID, economy, racial justice, climate change. We don’t have any more time to waste on partners in warfare.
“You know, and more than that, we have such an incredible opportunity to build a future we want for our kids and grandkids. I’ve said many, many times I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of this nation.
“There is no reason we cannot own the 21st century. You just need to remember who we are. This is the United States of America. There has never been anything, anything, we have been unable to do, unable to accomplish, and we have done it together. I hope to be talking to you tomorrow and I want to thank you all and may God bless you and may God protect our troops.”
