Bush to Obama: ‘What an awesome night for you ...’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush congratulated Barack Obama, whose dominant White House win was built on presenting himself as a change from the policies of the two-term Republican.

Said Bush to his Democratic successor Tuesday: “What an awesome night for you.”

“I promise to make this a smooth transition,” Bush told Obama at 11:12 p.m. EST, shortly after the Illinois senator captured enough electoral votes to cement his status as president-elect. “You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself.”

As usual in American presidential politics, the losing candidate — in this case, Republican John McCain — was gracious in defeat. So was Bush, who though not on the ballot this year found his name immersed in the race to replace him, as both Obama and McCain sought some distance from the administration.

“Mr. President-elect, congratulations to you,” Bush told Obama according to a White House account of the call. “What an awesome night for you, your family, and your supporters.”

Bush also called McCain, who pledged in a concession speech to support Obama and rallied his supporters to do the same.

The president told McCain that his statement was classy, according to his aide.

“John, you gave it your all. I’m proud of you, and I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” Bush told McCain, according to White House press secretary Dana Perino. “You didn’t leave anything on the playing field.”

The two men had battled fiercely for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, and since became allies, although uneasy ones at times.