A look back at presidential concession speeches

Brut America

Concession speeches are a key moment of every presidential election. Here's how candidates accepted defeat in past years.

Transcript

00:00This is America, and we put country before party.

00:03We will stand together behind our new president.

00:06The Democrats and Republicans in government at all levels

00:10have to put the people before the politics.

00:12The president is my opponent, not my enemy,

00:15and I wish him well, and I pledge my support

00:18in whatever advances the cause of a better America.

00:30About an hour ago, I called Governor Reagan in California,

00:35and I told him that I congratulated him

00:37for a fine victory.

00:38Just a few minutes ago, I called Vice President Bush

00:42and congratulated him on his victory.

00:44Just moments ago, I spoke with George W.

00:46Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president

00:50of the United States.

00:51Earlier today, I spoke to President Bush,

00:54and I offered him and Laura our congratulations

00:58on their victory.

01:00A little while ago, I had the honor of calling

01:03Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him.

01:07Please.

01:10To congratulate him on being elected

01:13the next president of the country that we both love.

01:20Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump

01:23and offered to work with him on behalf of our country.

01:29I'll never forget the wonderful people

01:33who came to our rallies, who stood in our rope lines,

01:36who put their hopes in our hands,

01:38who invested in each and every one of us.

01:41I saw in them the truth that America is not only great,

01:46but it is good.

01:47And you here tonight, and the team across the country,

01:52the volunteers, the fundraisers, the donors, the surrogates,

01:56I don't believe there's ever been an effort

01:59on our part to compare with what you have done

02:01over these past few years.

02:03Thank you very much.

02:04You poured your hearts into this campaign.

02:07For some of you who are veterans,

02:10it was a campaign after you had done other campaigns.

02:14Some of you, it was your first campaign.

02:17I want each of you to know that you were the best campaign

02:21anybody could have ever expected or wanted.

02:29This has been a long and hard-fought campaign,

02:31as you well know.

02:33But we must now come together as a united

02:37and a unified people to solve the problems

02:41that are still before us,

02:43to meet the challenges of a new decade.

02:46This nation faces major challenges ahead,

02:49and we must work together.

02:50Regardless of our differences,

02:52all Americans share the same purpose,

02:57to make this, the world's greatest nation,

03:00more safe and more secure,

03:02and to guarantee every American a shot at the American dream.

03:06I also accept my responsibility,

03:08which I will discharge unconditionally,

03:11to honor the new president-elect and do everything possible

03:14to help him bring Americans together

03:16in fulfillment of the great vision

03:19that our Declaration of Independence defines

03:21and that our Constitution affirms and defends.

03:24We had a good conversation,

03:27and we talked about the danger of division in our country

03:31and the need, the desperate need, for unity,

03:34for finding the common ground, coming together.

03:38Today, I hope that we can begin the healing.

03:42It is natural, it's natural tonight

03:45to feel some disappointment,

03:47but tomorrow, we must move beyond it

03:50and work together to get our country moving again.

03:54The great principles that have guided this nation

03:57since its very founding will continue to guide America

04:01through the challenges of the future.

04:02Over the library of one of our great law schools

04:05is inscribed the motto,

04:06not under man, but under God and law.

04:09That's the ruling principle of American freedom,

04:12the source of our democratic liberties.

04:14I believe in America.

04:16I believe in the people of America.

04:18This election is a world election.

04:21This election is over, but our principles are joined.

04:25I believe the principles upon which this nation was founded

04:28are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy

04:32and to renewed greatness.

04:38We have faced the tough issues.

04:41We've stood for, and we've fought for,

04:43and we have achieved some very important goals

04:45for our country.

04:46These efforts will not end with this administration

04:50with this administration.

04:52The effort must go on,

04:54nor will the progress that we have made

04:56be lost when we leave office.

04:59Now the political struggle is over,

05:01and we turn again to the unending struggle

05:03for the common good of all Americans

05:05and for those multitudes around the world

05:07who look to us for leadership and the cause of freedom.

05:10Let me add, our constitutional democracy

05:14demands our participation,

05:16not just every four years, but all the time.

05:20So let's do all we can to keep advancing the causes

05:24and values we all hold dear,

05:28making our economy work for everyone,

05:30not just those at the top,

05:32protecting our country and protecting our planet,

05:36and breaking down all the barriers

05:38that hold any American back from achieving their dreams.

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