It may be that he was not the best Democratic candidate for the presidency, that he screwed up in his televised debate with George W. Bush, that his social proclamations were out of whack after two terms of Bill Clinton, that an ungrateful vice-presidency had worn him out or that he received the kick that the Americans gave the outgoing president in the rear, fulfilling a very local saying. The fact is that Al Gore lost the elections to the presidency of the United States of the year 2000 beyond the polls. A defeat that he elegantly accepted after a harsh media and judicial battle, delivering the speech that we offer in its entirety.
The defeat, officially, occurred by a difference in favor of the Republican Party of 327 of the six million votes counted in the State of Florida, according to the automatic recount of the ballots. The problem is that this recount was soon certified to be necessarily incorrect, since the voting model, using ballots that had to be perforated to mark the chosen candidate, was very deficient: some perforations were not complete and the machines did not read them and the printing of many did not match the reading parameters. In short: a disaster.
The recounting by hand required by the Democratic Party did eventually take place, with difficulties in some counties, but was halted in Miami Dade, where a riot of Republican supporters demanding that ballot-checking officials stop counting had an effect. In the midst of a media commotion that put the US electoral system into question before the world, the legal battle ended surprisingly on the night of December 12, a month after the elections, when the Supreme Court ordered a stop to the manual recount in a decision made among its members by five votes to four.
Faced with this dilemma, at the limit of the Electoral College deadlines to determine the winner of the elections and a clear polarization of the country, Al Gore decided to give up and telephoned Bush to grant him the presidency. He had already done so on election night, when all the television stations took the Republican victory in Florida for granted – largely due to the influence of the state governor, Jeb Bush, brother of the Republican candidate – although he backtracked and called him again to say that nothing had been said. At least until things were clarified.
By an unwritten law, this call for the concession of the presidency is already sacred. That night he was not. And after making this third call, Al Gore indicated that there would be no more. The Democratic candidate put himself at the service of the new president, pledged allegiance to him and tried to restore the legitimacy of his country's electoral system. Until another candidate questioned him again more than two decades later.
"Good night.
”A few moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd President of the United States. And I promised him that he wouldn't call her back this time. I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so we can begin to heal the divisions of the campaign and the strife we've just been through.
"Nearly a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency: 'Partisan sentiment must give way to patriotism. I am with you, Mr. President, and may God bless you. It is in that same spirit that I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be set aside and God bless his stewardship of this country.
”Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult path. Certainly none of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it is over, resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honest institutions of our democracy.
"On the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto: 'Not under man, but under God and the law.' That is the guiding principle of American liberty, the source of our democratic liberties. I have tried to make him my guide through this contest, as he has guided America's deliberations on all the complex issues of the past five weeks.
”Now, the Supreme Court of the United States has spoken. Let there be no doubt, although I totally disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the firmness of this result, which will be ratified next Monday at the Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.
”I also accept my responsibility, which I will fulfill wholeheartedly, to honor the new president-elect and to do all I can to help him unite Americans in fulfilling the great vision that defines our Declaration of Independence and that our Constitution affirms and upholds.
”Let me say how grateful I am to everyone who supported me and supported the cause we have fought for. Tipper and I are deeply grateful to Joe and Hadassah Lieberman, who brought passion and high purpose to our association and opened new doors, not only for our campaign but also for our country.
”These have been extraordinary elections. But in one of God's unforeseen ways, this belatedly overcome obstacle can point us all to new common ground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny.
In fact, that history provides us with many examples of contests so hotly debated, so fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will. Other disputes dragged on for weeks before reaching a resolution. And each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and in a spirit of reconciliation. so be it with us
”I know many of my fans are disappointed. Me too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.
”And I say to the members of the world community that no one sees this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American democracy is most clearly shown through the difficulties it can overcome. Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election could hamper the next president's tenure of office. I don't think it has to be that way.
”President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be willing to help him carry out his great responsibilities. I personally will be there for him, and I call on all Americans, particularly urge all who stood with us, to unite behind our next president.
“This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and unite when the competition is over. And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that what unites us is greater than what divides us. Although we hold opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to the party. This is the United States and we put the country before confrontation; we will be together after our new president.
“As for what I will do from now on, I still don't know the answer. Like many of you, I am looking forward to spending the holidays with my family and old friends. I know I'll be spending time in Tennessee and fixing a few things, literally and figuratively.
“Some have asked me if I have any regrets, and I do: I won't have the opportunity to stay and fight for the American people for the next four years, especially those who need burdens lifted and barriers removed, especially those who feel their voice has not been heard. I listened to them. And I will not forget them.
”I have seen the United States in this campaign and I like what I see. It is worth fighting for and this is a fight I will never stop. As for the battle that ends tonight, I believe, as my father once said, that "no matter how hard the loss, defeat can serve as much as victory to mold the soul and let out the glory."
”So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper and our family; with faith in God and the country I have been so proud to serve, from Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our truly tireless campaign team and volunteers, including all of those who have worked so hard in Florida over the past 36 days.
“Now the political fight is over and we return once again to the never-ending struggle for the common good of all Americans and of those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of liberty.
"In the words of our great anthem, 'America, America: let us crown your good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.'
”And now, my friends, in a phrase that I once addressed to others: it is time for me to go.
"Thank you and good night and may God bless America."
