MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Undisputed Bush victory and Republican majority.

Re-elected President George W. Bush Wednesday evening celebrated victory in the presidential election and addressing a massive audience in the Ronald Reagan building close to the White House said he was proud of the Executive post.

"I am proud to lead such an amazing country and I am proud to lead it forward", said Mr. Bush.

Earlier in the day Democratic challenger Senator John Kerry admitted defeat in an emotional public speech in Boston after having previously spoken to the White House to tell his Republican incumbent contender "Congratulations Mr. President", following the conceding of the crucial state of Ohio.

President Bush praised Mr. Kerry saying he had run a "spirited campaign" and was "gracious" in defeat, and coinciding with his contender's appeal made a strong call for unity of the country requesting all sectors to collaborate in the new start.

"I will need your support and I will work to earn it", he said, "we have one country, one constitution and one future that binds us all. When we come together and work together there is no limit to the greatness of America".

However Mr. Bush anticipated a conservative social and economic agenda for this second term singling out tax reform, social security and education as priorities. He also promised the US would help the "emerging democracies of Afghanistan and Iraq to grow in strength and freedom", and then "our servicemen and women will come home with the honour they have earned".

In his concession speech Senator Kerry said he and president Bush had spoken about "the danger of division in our country and the need, the desperate need, for unity". "Today I hope we can begin the healing", highlighted Mr. Kerry.

With Ohio Mr. Bush reached 274 Electoral College votes, four more than needed for victory. Senator Kerry managed 252 and even when the results of Iowa and New Mexico were pending they would not alter the outcome.

The several hours delay in declaring Ohio for Mr. Bush was because Democrats insisted there were substantial number of unaccounted absentee and provisional ballots that could still have clinched it for Mr. Kerry. But in his concession speech the Democrat contender admitted it had become clear that there were not enough votes to win in Ohio.

"I would not give up this fight if there was a chance that we would prevail", said Mr. Kerry who nevertheless stressed that "every vote must count and be counted, but the outcome should be decided by voters, not a protracted legal process".

Mr. Bush's this time undisputed victory, (compared to 2000), comes with a projected five point lead, almost 3,5 million votes, and comfortable majorities in both Houses of Congress