As often seems to be the case with the loser in our country’s presidential elections, Republican Senator John McCain gave one fine concession speech. (Like his former fellow Senator Bob Dole, I found myself liking McCain more after the election was over than during it.)
Some of the highlights of his speech:
“Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.”
“Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.”
“We fought — we fought as hard as we could. And though we feel short, the failure is mine, not yours.”
“I don’t know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I’ll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I’m sure I made my share of them.”
“I would not — I would not be an American worthy of the name should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century.”
“Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama.”
“I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.”
“Americans never quit. We never surrender.”
“We never hide from history. We make history.”
Please feel free to read McCain’s full speech at Politico.com. The direct link to his speech is: http://politi.co/arINm2