November 5, 2008

John McCain: Concession Speech

Villagers, I must admit that John McCain surprised me last night with his concession speech. My respect for McCain is at his highest during the moment that must be his lowest. I encourage all villagers to give the man his props...





“Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.We have come to the end of a long journey. American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly.

A little while ago I had the honor of calling Obama to congratulate him on being elected next president of the country we both love.

His success alone commands my respect … that he managed to do so by inspiring millions of Americans who once wrongly believed they have little influence in elections is something I admire.

This is a significant election and something I recognize for African-Americans.

I have always believed America offers opportunities to Americans who have the will.

We have come a long way … the memory of these events has the ability to wound.

A century ago, the invitation to Booker T Washington to dine at the White House was taken as a slight. There is no better indication of the change than the election of an African-American to the White House.

Obama has achieved something great - I applaud him and offer my sympathy for his grandmother’s death.

Obama and I have had and argued over our differences and he has prevailed. No doubt many of these differences remain.

These are different times for our country. We face difficult times … I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him but offering our next president ways to come together to find compromises to bridge our differences … defend security in a dangerous world … leave a better country than what we inherited.

We are fellow Americans, and please believe me when I say no association has meant more to me than that. It’s natural tonight to feel disappointment … tomorrow we must move forward.

Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.

I am so deeply grateful to all of you for your support … I wish the outcome had been difficult. Your support never wavered. I cannot express how indebted I am to you. I am grateful to my family, mother, old and dear friends who have stood by my side through this campaign.

Campaigns are often harder on a candidate’s family than on a candidate. That has been true in this campaign. All I can offer is more peaceful years ahead. I am also grateful to governor Palin, one of the best candidates I have ever seen.

One of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party. Her husband Todd and their five beautiful children, for their dedication to our cause. We can all look forward to her service to the state of Alaska, the Repubublican party, and the country.

To all my campaign workers who fought valiantly month after month, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.

I do not know what more we could have done to win the election. I will not spend a moment regretting what might have been. This campaign will remain the highlight of my life.

I was given a fair hearing before the country decided that Obama and my old friend Biden will have the honor of leading us for the next 4 years.

I have had the extraordinary privilege of serving the country for half a century … I thank the people of Arizona.

Tonight more than any night, I hold in my heart love for my country and its citizens whether they supported me or Obama, and I wish Godspeed to the man who was my opponent.

I call on Americans not to despair about our difficulties - Americans never quit. We never hide from history, we make history.

Thank you and God bless America.”

5 comments:

maryt/theteach said...

Wayne, congratulations to us all who voted for Obama! His acceptance speech was rousing and hopeful and just plain wonderful. And I agree with you that John McCain's concession speech was respectful and conciliatory and worth listening to. He was like the John McCain of old...

Unknown said...

McCain did show great honor and decorum with his speech last night. I bet that is the McCain the GOP wished had showed up earlier.

What a PHENOMENAL night we just witnessed! Now the real work begins as we all join our President elect in making America a new & improved America for our next generations!!

HD Notes said...

The work has began. On Friday at noon in Columbus, Ohio we, Cincinnati Change, are submitting as part of team to the state a bid to wire the state with broadband wireless [the OH*IP RFP]. This will be on a means tested basis with a state licensed human service agency that is in place.

It will be a test to see if the Republicans can live up to the words of their past candidate or will they fall for that which lost the election. The John McCain that showed up last night would not have been their candidate otherwise.

If interested goto my linkedin
http://www.linkedin.com/in/hersheldanielsjunior
site.

Unknown said...

It was a good speech. Made me wonder where that guy was during the rest of the election.

Oh well.

WE WON!

Unknown said...

Teach - It will be wonderful to have a president that can inspire us with his words ... I look for him to call on our 'better angels' often over the next 4 years...

Regina - I think that McCain is a better man that the GOP handlers that ran his campaign. I think the GOP wanted to go "Rove". McCain probably didn't do so...

Herschel - I wish you well on your initiative. You have worked hard to make a difference here in Cincinnati...

Esquire - If he had been 'that guy' ... perhaps Obama would ask him to be Secretary of Defense (smile)...