977

STATEMENT AND PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER
ELECTION AS VICE PRESIDENT, ANNAPOLIS

November 6, 1968

It's certainly true that a man's family is the most important thing
to him at a time of intense contest, and I've found that to be true
throughout my life.

It's with a spirit of humility and yet hope that I greet this moment.
It's first President-elect Richard Nixon's victory and a victory for all
the American people. The past weeks have been ones of exhausting
and fierce competition, and this is very much a part of the American
system where strong personalities and forceful ideas contest for the
voters' mandate. The goal is not to destroy but to create a better
America.

In saying this, I recognize the sincerity of Vice President Humphrey
and Senator Muskie and their many supporters. I think the Vice
President — the way he handled himself in his recent remarks on
television — proves that our system of government is indeed a great
one that produces great men that arise to the most difficult occasions.

In saying this, I recognize the sincerity of Vice President Humphrey
campaign. I think the measure of the man is best reflected in the fact
that, when I received a congratulatory telegram from him this morn-
ing, I attempted to telephone him — and he demonstrated his great
resiliency by being on the golf course already. I admire him for that
more than most anything I can tell you because, if it had been re-
versed, that is exactly where I would have been this morning.

Political campaigns by their very nature are abrasive and divisive.
Now the time of competition has passed and the time for cooperation
begins. I welcome this moment when we begin the very real task of
reuniting America with fresh vision under new leadership. This is
the greatest campaign of all, and I pledge all my energy to this
crusade.

Today is the time for celebration and rededication that all Ameri-
cans share in this moment of rededication by rejecting partisanship
and repudiating extremism. Now we begin to forge a vibrant, vital
new America that stands for law, order, justice, hope and opportunity,
for prosperity and peace — an America of unlimited horizons, created
by honest commitment and good will.

I want to just say a few words about my running mate, the Presi-
dent-elect of the United States. It's been my privilege to know many