WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Bush on Wednesday hailed the election of Barack Obama as `` a triumph of the American story . '' `` Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday , '' President Bush said Wednesday . Obama 's rise to become the nation 's first black president is `` a testament to hard work , optimism and a faith in the enduring promise of our nation , '' Bush said in the White House Rose Garden . `` No matter how they cast their ballots , all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday , '' said Bush , whose second term in the Oval Office will end when Obama is sworn in on January 20 . Bush said he had called Obama and had also spoken to his opponent , Sen. John McCain . `` I congratulated -LSB- McCain -RSB- on a determined campaign that he and Gov. -LSB- Sarah -RSB- Palin ran , '' the president said . Watch Bush praise presidential candidates '' Bush said turning over the White House to Obama `` will be a stirring sight . '' `` I know millions of Americans will be overcome with pride at this inspiring moment that so many have waited for for so long , '' Bush said . Moving toward Obama 's January 20 inauguration , Bush promised the president-elect he can count on `` complete cooperation '' as he makes the transition to the White House . Speaking later at the State Department , Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said her department `` will do everything that we can '' to ensure a smooth transition . Watch Rice pledge a smooth turnover at the State Department '' Rice , an African-American like Obama , also called Tuesday 's election `` an extraordinary step forward '' in the nation 's history . `` I am especially proud because this is a country that 's been through a long journey in terms of overcoming wounds , and making race not the factor in our lives , '' Rice said . Bush warned America 's enemies not to expect any letup in national security during the transition . `` The United States government will stay vigilant in meeting its most important responsibility , protecting the American people , '' Bush said . On Thursday , Obama is expected to receive his first top-secret intelligence briefing , similar to the one Bush gets every day , according to U.S. officials familiar with the process . In a message to CIA employees obtained by CNN , CIA Director Michael Hayden says Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell will lead Obama 's first briefing . Bush pledged to fulfill his duties as president until the final day of his presidency . `` I will continue to conduct the people 's business as long as the office remains in my trust , '' the nation 's 43rd president said .