Obama, urging unity, says he’s rooting for Trump’s success
WASHINGTON — In an awkward political ritual, President Barack Obama urged the nation Wednesday to join him in rooting for President-elect Donald Trump’s success, even as he and his shell-shocked aides prepared to watch a successor undo much of their work.
Conceding Hillary Clinton’s staggering loss, Obama vowed to do all he could to facilitate a smooth transition and to ensure Trump would be well-positioned to run the country when he takes office Jan. 20. In a brief conversation, he’d congratulated Trump by phone and invited him to sit down together Thursday at the White House.
“We all want what’s best for this country,” Obama said.
Obama delivered his sunny call for unity while standing in the Rose Garden, much as his predecessor President George W. Bush did after Obama’s victory in 2008. It was a symbolic moment meant to signal the calm transfer of power from one president to the next.