After Narrow Win, Obama Tells Americans: The Best Is Yet to Come

After a bitterly divisive campaign and a narrow victory, President Barack Obama on Tuesday called on Americans to put their differences aside and work toward building “a more perfect union.”

“Tonight in this election, you the American people remind us that while our road has been hard and our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up and we have fought our way back,” Obama told the crowd gathered outside his reelection headquarters in Chicago. “We know in our hearts for the United States of America the best is yet to come.”

PHOTOS: Hollywood Hits the Campaign Trail for Obama, Romney

Incomplete results showed the president winning the electoral college by 303 votes, compared to Mitt Romney’s 206. Obama was also narrowly winning the popular vote with 50%. Florida was the only state still undecided, although Obama was ahead there as well.

Obama thanked his supporters for “lifting” him up.

“I want to thank every American who participated in this election, whether you voted for the first time or waited in a line for a very long time,” Obama said, making reference to the overly packed polling locations in Florida, Virginia and elsewhere. He added: “By the way we have to fix that.”

PHOTOS: The Top Celebrity Political Twitter Commentators

“Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone, whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference,” Obama said. “We may have battled fiercely, but it is only because we love this country deeply.”

Amid cheers from the crowd on a brisk night in Chicago, Obama said he was humbled by the support.

“Thank you for believing all the way,” he said. “Through every hill, through every valley, you lifted me up all the way. I will always be grateful.”