Legally speaking, as you know, it doesn’t matter a whit whether Donald Trump concedes the election he decisively lost. He’s gone on Jan. 20 regardless, because the Constitution says so, and if he barricades himself in the john he’ll be evicted one way or another.
Still, it would be helpful if he behaved like a real American and showed some eleventh-hour respect for the peaceful transition of power. Who knows, perhaps a graceful message would hose down his grassroots goons.
If he were willing to be schooled in the art of concession – which, of course, he’s not – then he would watch a video of Al Gore, who fell on his sword exactly 20 years ago. Trump would learn something. And we’d all be reminded of what it’s like to hear a beaten candidate act in the national interest.
On the night of Dec. 12, 2000, Vice President Gore had reasons to feel aggrieved. The U.S Supreme Court – by a 5-4 margin with all five Republican appointees in the majority – basically awarded the White House to George W. Bush by halting the recount of ballots in pivotal Florida. Thirty-six days after the election, Gore, who won the national popular vote, lost the presidency by a disputed margin of 537 in one state. But the verdict came down he didn’t rant like a sociopath or stoke violence like a shithole thug. Instead, he comported himself like an American:
I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country…Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court’s decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome…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…
Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation. So let it be with us. I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country…
President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities. I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans – I particularly urge all who stood with (me) – to unite behind our next president. This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done…Now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us.
While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party. We will stand together behind our new president…
Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom…Thank you and good night, and God bless America.
Alas, decency is not in Don the Con’s DNA. How far we have fallen from the high road Al Gore traversed 20 years ago. Our best hope now – if I may crib from The Beatles – is that we can rekindle our American values and get back to where we once belonged.