US Elections: How Past Presidential Candidates Accepted Defeat



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While Presidential elections can be divisive and close, a concession speech by the defeated candidate is a way of trying to calm the divisions.

While the world waits for the results of the race for leadership 2020This is how the previous presidential races ended.

When conceding defeat to Donald Trump in 2016, Hillary Clinton called on her supporters to accept the election result and ensure a smooth and peaceful transfer of power.

The former first lady said the electoral race had revealed that “our nation is more deeply divided than we thought.”

He said he hoped Trump would be “a successful president for all Americans.”

Hillary clinton Credit: Dominic Lipinski / PA

During a speech in New York, the Democratic candidate told his supporters: “We must accept this result and then look to the future.

“Donald Trump will be our president. We owe him an open mind and the opportunity to lead.”

In a clip that has resurfaced on Twitter in recent days, Republican candidate John McCain said he was honored to congratulate Barack Obama on his victory in 2008.

Addressing his supporters outside his polling place in Phoneix, Arizona, McCain gestured to the crowd to stop booing his Democratic rival.

“In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone inspires my respect for his ability and perseverance,” said McCain.

John McCain Credit: Johnny Green / PA

“But that he has managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans, who had once mistakenly believed that they had little stake or influence in the election of an American president, is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

“This is a historic election and I recognize the special meaning it has for African Americans and the special pride they should have tonight.”

Following a close and controversial presidential race in 2000The Democratic candidate Al Gore privately called George W. Bush to yield.

The Democrat offered his congratulations to the “president-elect,” only to recant shortly after his award.

After a legal battle for votes in the pivotal state of Florida, which he lost, thus ending his campaign, Gore again called Bush Jr. to offer his concession and addressed the nation.

Republican George W Bush and Democrat Al Gore. Credit: AP

“And I promised him that I wouldn’t call him again this time,” he joked.

Gore said he had offered to meet with the president-elect to “begin to heal the divisions of the campaign, adding:” Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road.

“Certainly none of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it is over, it was resolved, as it should be resolved, through the honest institutions of our democracy.”

George HW Bush told his supporters that “the people have spoken” when he acknowledged the defeat of Bill Clinton after the 1992 presidential election.

As he took the stage at a hotel in Houston, Texas, amid shouts of “thank you George,” the 41st president of the United States said he had called Clinton to congratulate him.

George HW Bush Credit: Pennsylvania

“This is how we see it and the country should see it: that the people have spoken and we respect the majesty of the democratic system,” Bush Sr. told his followers.

“I just called Governor Clinton in Little Rock and offered my congratulations. He ran a strong campaign. I wish him well in the White House,” he said.

“And I want the country to know that our entire administration will work closely with your team to ensure the smooth transition of power.”


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