Democrats put up a fight in tight districts. That's more important than winning, Obama says.

Former President Barack Obama is obviously thrilled that Democrats won the House and several governor's races in Tuesday's elections. But he's even more excited about how they did it.

In a statement the morning after Election Day, Obama praised blue victories across the country, especially those from "alumni of my administration." He then went on to analyze how these wins happened: "By competing in places we haven't been competitive in a long time," and by running veterans, women, minorities, and LGBT candidates, he said. Victorious ballot measures focused on "raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicare, and strengthening voting rights" were also worth celebrating, Obama said.

Still, Obama was sure to point out that "the change we need won't come from one election alone." Tuesday's election only puts America one step down the path toward "honesty, decency, compromise, and standing up for one another as Americans," he said. Read Obama's whole statement below. Kathryn Krawczyk

The Week

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