Someone will lose tonight — how will he or she do it? A look at 40 years of concessions
If all goes as planned, someone will named as the next president-elect of the United States on Tuesday night — or early Wednesday morning. That means that the other major candidate running for president will have to concede.
But after the nastiest election in recent history and with Donald Trump saying that he might not accept the results of the election if he doesn’t win, it is unclear just what might happen this time around.
Paste BN went back through the last 40 years of concession speeches to see how people bowed out. Spoiler: They all did so gracefully (eventually).
2012: Mitt Romney
The former Massachusetts governor conceded to President Obama in the early morning of Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012.
“The nation, as you know, is at a critical point. At a time like this we can’t risk partisan bickering and political posturing our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people’s work.”
“I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction. But the nation chose another leader. And so Ann and I join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation.”
2008: John McCain
The Arizona senator conceded in the late evening to then-senator Barack Obama on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008.
“In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who once wrongly believed they had little at stake, or little influence in the election of an America president is something I deeply admire.”
“A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit — to dine at the White House — was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.”
2004: John Kerry
The Massachusetts senator conceded to President George W. Bush in the late morning of Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004.
“I would not give up this fight if there was a chance that we would prevail but it is now clear that even when all the provisional ballots are counted, which they will be, there won't be enough outstanding votes for us to be able to win Ohio. And therefore we cannot win this election.”
“I'll never forget the wonderful people who came to our rallies, who stood in our rope lines, who put their hopes in our hands, who invested in each and every one of us. I saw in them the truth that America is not only great, but it is good.”
2000: Al Gore
Then-vice president Al Gore called George W. Bush to concede the election in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, but then called to rescind his concession. Gore ultimately conceded on Dec. 13, 2000, after more than a month of legal battles over vote recounts in Florida. He had won the popular vote but ultimately lost to Bush after the Supreme Court effectively halted recounts.
“Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States, and I promised him that I wouldn't call him back this time.”
“Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.
I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally, to honor the new president-elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends.”
1996: Bob Dole
Kansas Sen. Bob Dole conceded to President Bill Clinton on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1996.
“I was thinking on the way down in the elevator, tomorrow will be the first time in my life I don't have anything to do.”
“I've said repeatedly in this campaign that the president was my opponent and not my enemy. And I wish him well and I pledge my support in whatever advances the cause of a better America because that's what the race was about in the first place, a better America as we go into the next century.”
1992: George H.W. Bush
The president conceded late on election night on Nov. 3, 1992, to Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton.
“Well, here's the way I see it. Here's the way we see it and the country should see it — that the people have spoken and we respect the majesty of the democratic system. I just called Governor Clinton over in Little Rock and offered my congratulations. He did run a strong campaign. I wish him well in the White House.”
“There is important work to be done, and America must always come first. So we will get behind this new President and wish him — wish him well.”
1988: Michael Dukakis
The Massachusetts governor conceded defeat Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1988, in the evening to Vice President George H.W. Bush.
“Just 18 months ago, on what some of you will recall was a cold and snowy April day, I asked you for your support in running what I called a marathon for the highest honor that the American people can bestow on anyone.
I said there'd be good days, and we had a lot of good days, didn't we? And I said there'd be not so good days, and we had a few of those, too. And I talked about another marathon that I have run, in April of 1951, when I found myself struggling up a hill or two and people saying to me, looking good Duke - go to it. That is what you have done, and I am very grateful to you.”
“And one of the things that I'm proudest of in this campaign is the thousands and thousands of young people who are involved. I don't want you to be discouraged, I want you to be encouraged by what you've done in this campaign. I hope many of you will go into politics and public service. It is a noble profession, a noble profession.”
1984: Walter Mondale
Former vice president Walter Mondale conceded the election to President Ronald Reagan on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 1984.
“He has won. We are all Americans. He is our president, and we honor him tonight. Again tonight, the American people in town halls, in homes, in firehouses, in libraries, chose the occupant of the most powerful office on Earth. Their choice was made peacefully, with dignity and with majesty. And although I would have rather won tonight we rejoice in our democracy, we rejoice in the freedom of a wonderful people, and we accept their verdict.”
“And I thank Geraldine Ferraro, we're very proud of Gerry, very proud of Gerry. We didn't win but we made history, and that fight has just begun.”
1980: Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter conceded the election to former California governor Ronald Reagan on Nov. 4, 1980, just after 9 p.m. Eastern. It was the earliest someone had conceded since 1904.
“I promised you four years ago that I would never lie to you, so I can’t stand here tonight and say it doesn’t hurt. The people of the United States have made their choice, and, of course, I accept their decision, but I have to admit not with the same enthusiasm that I accepted the decision four years ago.”
“I then sent [Reagan] this telegram and I’ll read it to you: ‘It’s now apparent that the American people have chosen you as the next president. I congratulate you and pledge to you our full support and cooperation in bringing about an orderly transition of government in the weeks ahead. My best wishes are with you and your family as you undertake the responsibilities that lie before you,’ and I signed it: 'Jimmy Carter.' ”
1976: Gerald Ford
President Gerald Ford conceded the election to Carter on Wednesday, Nov. 3., 1976. His voice was raspy so he spoke very briefly and then had his wife speak on his behalf.
Read by his wife: “It’s been the greatest honor of my husband’s life to have served his fellow Americans during two of the most difficult years in our history. The president urges all Americans to join him in giving your untied support to President elect Carter as he prepares to assume his responsibility.”
“I’d like to read you the telegram the president sent to president-elect Carter this morning: Dear Jimmy, it is apparent now that you have won our long and intense struggle for the presidency. I can congratulate you on your victory. As one who has been honored to serve the people of this great land both in Congress and as president, I believe we must now put divisions of the campaign behind us and unite the country once again in the common pursuit of peace and prosperity.”
More election coverage from Paste BN:
• How to make sense of what's happening as polls close
• Plot Trump's or Clinton's path to 270 electoral votes
• See the latest national and state presidential polling averages
• Check out poll closing times in each state
• Candidate info and ratings for all races