What is a concession speech? More about the tradition, what to expect from losing candidate
While a losing candidate isn't required to give a concession speech, it's long been a traditional aspect of the U.S. democracy. A "congratulations" to the winning candidate is often a part of it.
When the race for president is over every four years in the U.S., one candidate delivers a victory speech while the other, typically, accepts defeat in a concession speech.
While not a legal requirement, the concession speech has long been a tradition in American democracy, often signals a peaceful transition of power and offers clarity to supporters once the electoral votes are counted.
While a concession speech isn't required by U.S. law or the Constitution, the voluntary gesture is considered a graceful tradition of American democracy.
Here's what you need to know about concession speeches.
Can a race be called without a concession?
While many Americans are used to presidential election results and public concessions from the losing candidate occurring at roughly the same time, that doesn't have to be the case.
The mechanisms for publicly projecting a presidential winner in the media, officially counting the votes and formally electing a president are separate from a candidate conceding the race.
Notable concession speeches
Among the notable speeches include Republican Sen. John McCain's concession in 2008 where he accepted defeat to Democrat Barack Obama and silenced boos among his supporters when he said Obama's name.
“The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly," the Arizona senator said at the time. "A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love."
Republican George H.W. Bush conceded to Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992.
"Well here's the way I see it, here's the way we see it, and the way the country should see it, that the people have spoken and we respect the majesty of the democratic system," Bush said.
When Republican George W. Bush beat Democrat Al Gore in 2000, Gore said he "spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States."
Has a presidential candidate ever refused to concede?
Donald Trump was the first presidential candidate to initially refuse to concede in modern history.
The current Republican nominee did not accept acknowledge that Biden would take over until less than two weeks from the inauguration and after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
The modern understanding of a public concession can be traced to 1896, when William Jennings Bryan sent opponent William McKinley a cordial telegram, NPR reports.
Since then, candidates have forged a tradition of publicly acknowledging defeat and celebrating democracy in radio addresses, a recorded newsreel or on live television.
The tradition was delayed in 2000, when the presidency came down to Florida's votes. Former Vice President and Democratic candidate Al Gore sued in Florida for a recount, but Republican George W. Bush went to the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision, which it did in Bush v. Gore. After weeks of legal battles, Gore conceded to Bush in December 2000.
Contributing: Joel Shannon, Jay Cannon.