The Rolling Stones were right – you can’t always get what you want.
After votes are counted, candidates across the nation take the stage. They are tasked with delivering either energetic victory speeches or subdued concessions.
At 2Connect, we are often asked about candidates’ speeches, especially during this past election cycle.
We won’t be making any big political statement, but we will share some of our favorite concession speech excerpts from past presidential elections.
“Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I’m with you, Mr. President, and God bless you.”
– Senator Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln’s opponent
“Someone asked me as I came in, down on the street, how I felt, and I was reminded of a story that a fellow-townsman of ours used to tell — Abraham Lincoln. They asked him how he felt once after an unsuccessful election. He said he felt like a little boy who had stubbed his toe in the dark. He said he was too old to cry, but it hurt too much to laugh.”
– Adlai E. Stevenson after defeated by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952
“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. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it.”
– John McCain after Barack Obama won in 2008
