Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States, according to projections announced Saturday morning.
Still, President Trump has indicated his campaign will continue to fight the results in court. He is within his rights to challenge the counting and to submit whatever evidence he has of irregularities to courts. It is important to be absolutely sure that allegations are argued, examined and adjudicated, especially in such a close race. But it may prove hard for him to overturn the results in enough states to push him over the 270-vote threshold in the Electoral College.
And so, Trump must recognize that a time to concede may be coming, despite his strong feelings otherwise. It may come despite, perhaps, court rulings with which he disagrees. An eventual concession is necessary for the republic, whose needs are far greater than any candidate’s, and for the safety and welfare of all Americans.
Here is some perspective: We have submitted the issue to the American people and their will is law.William Jennings Bryan
“We have submitted the issue to the American people and their will is law.”
With those inspired words, William Jennings Bryan conceded to William McKinley in 1896, beginning a long American tradition of gracious losing that has reassured people democracy still works and the quadrennial struggle for control of the nation has ended peacefully.
Such speeches happen across the political spectrum in this country, from the smallest race for city council to the White House. It is an aspect of American exceptionalism, an example to the rest of the world of how a system that vests ultimate power in the people can solve its differences.
And it needs to happen at the end of the current presidential race. When that happens, the losing candidate will have some notable examples from history to follow. My congratulations to Sen. Kennedy for his fine race in this campaign.Richard Nixon
No one could accuse Richard Nixon of having a small ego. When he lost to John F. Kennedy in 1960, a lot of Republicans pointed to alleged voter fraud in Texas and Illinois. In all, the campaign was suggesting recounts in 11 states. His campaign manager alleged that 50,000 ballots had been illegally disqualified in Texas due to technicalities.
Nixon ended up losing all his court challenges, but he had conceded long before that, saying, “My congratulations to Sen. Kennedy for his fine race in this campaign.” The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly.John McCain
Republican John McCain gave a gracious concession speech in 2008, saying, “The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly.” Quieting the boos of his supporters, he then noted the historical significance of Barack Obama being elected as the first Black president and pledged to do “all in my power” to help him succeed.
Even Hillary Clinton, who lost to Donald Trump in 2016 despite winning the popular vote, asked her supporters to unite behind her opponent. “Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power,” she said. “And we don’t just respect that; we cherish it.”
