Concession speeches are a key moment of every presidential election. Here's how candidates accepted defeat in past years.
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00:00This is America, and we put country before party.
00:03We will stand together behind our new president.
00:06The Democrats and Republicans in government at all levels
00:10have to put the people before the politics.
00:12The president is my opponent, not my enemy,
00:15and I wish him well, and I pledge my support
00:18in whatever advances the cause of a better America.
00:30About an hour ago, I called Governor Reagan in California,
00:35and I told him that I congratulated him
00:37for a fine victory.
00:38Just a few minutes ago, I called Vice President Bush
00:42and congratulated him on his victory.
00:44Just moments ago, I spoke with George W.
00:46Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president
00:50of the United States.
00:51Earlier today, I spoke to President Bush,
00:54and I offered him and Laura our congratulations
00:58on their victory.
01:00A little while ago, I had the honor of calling
01:03Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him.
01:07Please.
01:10To congratulate him on being elected
01:13the next president of the country that we both love.
01:20Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump
01:23and offered to work with him on behalf of our country.
01:29I'll never forget the wonderful people
01:33who came to our rallies, who stood in our rope lines,
01:36who put their hopes in our hands,
01:38who invested in each and every one of us.
01:41I saw in them the truth that America is not only great,
01:46but it is good.
01:47And you here tonight, and the team across the country,
01:52the volunteers, the fundraisers, the donors, the surrogates,
01:56I don't believe there's ever been an effort
01:59on our part to compare with what you have done
02:01over these past few years.
02:03Thank you very much.
02:04You poured your hearts into this campaign.
02:07For some of you who are veterans,
02:10it was a campaign after you had done other campaigns.
02:14Some of you, it was your first campaign.
02:17I want each of you to know that you were the best campaign
02:21anybody could have ever expected or wanted.
02:29This has been a long and hard-fought campaign,
02:31as you well know.
02:33But we must now come together as a united
02:37and a unified people to solve the problems
02:41that are still before us,
02:43to meet the challenges of a new decade.
02:46This nation faces major challenges ahead,
02:49and we must work together.
02:50Regardless of our differences,
02:52all Americans share the same purpose,
02:57to make this, the world's greatest nation,
03:00more safe and more secure,
03:02and to guarantee every American a shot at the American dream.
03:06I also accept my responsibility,
03:08which I will discharge unconditionally,
03:11to honor the new president-elect and do everything possible
03:14to help him bring Americans together
03:16in fulfillment of the great vision
03:19that our Declaration of Independence defines
03:21and that our Constitution affirms and defends.
03:24We had a good conversation,
03:27and we talked about the danger of division in our country
03:31and the need, the desperate need, for unity,
03:34for finding the common ground, coming together.
03:38Today, I hope that we can begin the healing.
03:42It is natural, it's natural tonight
03:45to feel some disappointment,
03:47but tomorrow, we must move beyond it
03:50and work together to get our country moving again.
03:54The great principles that have guided this nation
03:57since its very founding will continue to guide America
04:01through the challenges of the future.
04:02Over the library of one of our great law schools
04:05is inscribed the motto,
04:06not under man, but under God and law.
04:09That's the ruling principle of American freedom,
04:12the source of our democratic liberties.
04:14I believe in America.
04:16I believe in the people of America.
04:18This election is a world election.
04:21This election is over, but our principles are joined.
04:25I believe the principles upon which this nation was founded
04:28are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy
04:32and to renewed greatness.
04:38We have faced the tough issues.
04:41We've stood for, and we've fought for,
04:43and we have achieved some very important goals
04:45for our country.
04:46These efforts will not end with this administration
04:50with this administration.
04:52The effort must go on,
04:54nor will the progress that we have made
04:56be lost when we leave office.
04:59Now the political struggle is over,
05:01and we turn again to the unending struggle
05:03for the common good of all Americans
05:05and for those multitudes around the world
05:07who look to us for leadership and the cause of freedom.
05:10Let me add, our constitutional democracy
05:14demands our participation,
05:16not just every four years, but all the time.
05:20So let's do all we can to keep advancing the causes
05:24and values we all hold dear,
05:28making our economy work for everyone,
05:30not just those at the top,
05:32protecting our country and protecting our planet,
05:36and breaking down all the barriers
05:38that hold any American back from achieving their dreams.