Hillary Clinton 2016 Mitt Romney 2012 John McCain 2008 John Kerry 2004 Al Gore 2000 Bob Dole 1996 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeBrjjGX-EY George Bush 1992 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMLmaZ8hUwM Michael Dukakis 1988 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D8QwO96D38 Walter Mondale 1984 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I8Z1H4CMSY Jimmy Carter 1980 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn53KENwqUU Gerald Ford 1976 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ysuhNov6Ow&t George McGovern 1972 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0TjLc93alg Herbert Humphrey 1968 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tee5W4XTY5s Barry Goldwater 1964 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0Z3rWEcko8 Richard Nixon 1960 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn1FOyaM_c4 There is a standard for dignity and grace that comes with the office of the presidency, even in defeat
Fortunately the candidates are not the ones who formally determine who won the election, no matter who they might be
Here's a couple more for the collection, it's a bit harder to find concession speeches before 1960 since that election was the first election that was truly televised, but concession speeches have been the normal standard since the 1800s. They are a symbol of dignity, grace, respect, but first and foremost, they are a symbol that what divides us in political preference isn't as important as what unites us as Americans Adlai Stevenson 1952 Wendell Willkie 1940
January 6th 2021 was a reminder of how a candidate's concession is a cornerstone of a peaceful transfer of power. Ever since radio and television broadcasts, it has been the norm for the losing candidate to give a full concession speech, as a sign of dignitary and grace even in defeat, but also as means of promoting a peaceful transition if power. It is also a long standing tradition for the leaving president to attend the new president's inauguration. There are only two presidents in US history to finish their term(in retirement or defeat) and not follow this tradition. They are John Quincy Adams, and Woodrow Wilson. Wilson could not attend the inauguration due to his poor health, but he did ride with Warren G Harding to the US capital as a gesture to honor the peaceful transition of power
I am now posting what I believe will be the closest thing we are going to get to a concession speech for the 2020 election. I will post an update if a full speech is released
BUT, the true test will be IF Trump actually believes that. That is why his return to Twitter tomorrow is going to very telling.
I don't believe it's important at all whether he actually believes he lost. Dignity and grace in defeat has already gone out the window for him, but what is more important now is him doing what he can to promote a peaceful transition of power from here on out.
Of course, actions speak louder that words. And, when his Twitter suspension ends tomorrow, IF he is up to the same old crap, then maybe he still hasn't learned his lesson.
Here it is.. and I think its prefect that he addresses the attackers of the US capital. It's a perfect example of why we have concession speeches to begin with.
It rings rather hollow after what he did prior, I can't unsee the man for the destruction he wrought.
It's definitely unique in that it's the first concession speech ever that has had to open with a statement to put out an ongoing fire, which to me reflects the importance of the concession speech and its place in history. We've now seen the consequences of what happens when a candidate doesn't live up to the standard of conduct for being president or running for office. I'm definitely not excusing what he did prior, but what I will say is the demeanor we are seeing in his concession speech is something he needs to carry with him from here on out. In order to move past this, we need to focus on moving forward. Despite everything that has happened, Mr Trump should be welcome at the upcoming inauguration, and there should be no mud slinging from the new incoming president directed towards him for the time being. After that it will be business as usual, but when it comes to the transition of power and the process that comes with it, things need to be respectful
That must be a blow to his supporters that stormed the WH. He egged them on, didn't walk with them as promised and is now distancing himself from their actions. I wonder if this means he will show up and behave himself at the inauguration.
It was just announced today via twitter that he is choosing not to attend the inauguration https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1347569870578266115?s=20
Correction to what I posted here, there are three presidents in history who refused to attend their successor's inauguration. They are John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Johnson. Woodrow Wilson briefly attended by riding with the incoming president to the location where he would be sworn in, but could not remain at the ceremony due to health conditions Going back over Trump's inauguration, one of the opening lines of his inauguration speech was this paragraph "Every four years, we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power, and we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent" Trump's inauguration of course was attended by president Obama, Vice president Biden, former president Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, former president Bush, and former president Carter.
"There is a standard for dignity and grace that comes with the office of the presidency, even in defeat" These, dignity and grace, are terms no one associates with the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
