(Click here for the full text of President Bush's victory speech. Click here for the full text of Sen. Kerry's concession speech. Click here for an AP story summarizing the outcome of the election.)

Troops deployed downrange were eagerly watching the election news in between combat missions and regular work.

Some said President Bush’s re-election creates a continuity needed to complete the job in Iraq, while others said regardless of who won, they didn’t expect much to change for the U.S. military in Iraq.

The United States has 138,000 troops stationed in Iraq and thousands more in the region supporting the war effort.

“I don’t think either candidate was going to up and run [from Iraq],” said 1st Lt. Joe Guthrie, the Iraqi National Guard liaison for the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment based near Mosul.

“I think the same would [have] happened if [Sen. John] Kerry was elected,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Morak, section sergeant for the 73rd Engineer Company mobility support platoon. He doubted either candidate would “pick up and leave” Iraq.

Morak said the end to the politicking allows Bush to focus more on his goals in the region. It also sends the signal that the American people support him.

Having such a close election does show democracy in action, a positive signal for the burgeoning democracy in Iraq.

“I think it could send a message to them that both parties can be incorporated,” Guthrie said.

At Forward Operating Base Danger in Tikrit, Spc. Nathan Rancloes of the 197th Military Police Battalion of the New Hampshire National Guard said the results aren’t necessarily good news.

“I was hoping Kerry would win,” said Rancloes, 20, of Colebrook, N.H. “I think there’s a much better chance I’ll be back for another tour … and I don’t want to do another tour.”

Spc. Savoy Parker, of the Kitzingen, Germany-based 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, also was rooting for the Massachusetts senator.

“I was hoping Kerry would go ahead and win, because America needs a change,” said Parker, 26, of LaPorte, Texas.

But 1st Lt. Crystal Bahe, 24, Barnesville, Minn., 502nd Engineer Company out of Hanau, Germany, said Kerry’s lack of a clarity on the issues hurt his chances.

“I’m pretty surprised it’s as close as it is,” Bahe said. “I think maybe if Kerry had given more of a clearer stance [on the issues], it might have turned his way.”

A couple of troops deployed to Camp Lemonier in Djibouti said they were pleased with the results.

Marine Sgt. Rex Cox of Spartanburg, S.C., and the 1st Provisional Security Company said he was happy that Bush won.

“I’m a Republican, so that’s the side I tend to support,” said Cox.

He added that is was important for everyone in the country to be on the same page.

“A lot of people feel it’s not right for us to be over here [in the Middle East],” Cox said. “But Bush supports us and I support his decision. You’ve got to support your president. If you don’t, all you have is confusion.”

Chief Petty Officer Patrick Wiers of Jacksonville, Fla., the senior enlisted adviser for Expeditionary Medical Unit 10, said Bush has been good to the troops.

“I feel that for the last four years President Bush has been decent to the military,” Wiers said. “I’d be happy to see him win. He’s given us decent pay raises. Why create change if you don’t have to?”

Stars and Stripes reporters Juliana Gittler, Steve Liewer and Charlie Coon contributed to this report.

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