Det er en god tale, bare synd den er stokk reaksjonær i innhold. Tydelig
at herskerklassen nå ønsker å samle rekkene etter at "maktfordelingen" i
USA er blitt avslørt for alle og enhver som en fordeling av all politisk
makt mellom de to store borgerlige partiene.
Mvh,
Per
CAMPAIGN 2000: VICE PRESIDENT GORE DELIVERS REMARKS
DECEMBER 13, 2000
SPEAKER: ALBERT GORE JR., VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, DEMOCRATIC
PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Good evening.
Just 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
I wouldn't call him back this time.
I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start to
heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we just
passed.
Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham
Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling
must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you."
Well, in that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what remains
of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his
stewardship of this country.
Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly
neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended,
resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our
democracy.
Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto,
"Not under man but under God and law." That's the ruling principle of
American freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to
make it my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's
deliberations of all the complex issues of the past five weeks.
Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I
strongly disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the
finality of this outcome which will be ratified next Monday in the
Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people
and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.
I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally,
to honor the new president elect and do everything possible to help him
bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our
Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and
defends.
Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported
the cause for which we have fought. Tipper and I feel a deep gratitude to
Joe and Hadassah Lieberman who brought passion and high purpose to our
partnership and opened new doors, not just for our campaign but for our
country.
This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen
paths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a 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.
Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated,
as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will.
Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And
each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result
peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation.
So let it be with us.
I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our
disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.
And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one see
this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American
democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome.
Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election might
hamper the next president in the conduct of his office. I do not believe
it need be so.
President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to
assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities.
I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans -- I
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 come together when the contest is done.
And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences,
now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than
that which divides us.
While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher
duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put
country before party. We will stand together behind our new president.
As for what I'll do next, I don't know the answer to that one yet. Like
many of you, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and
old friends. I know I'll spend time in Tennessee and mend some fences,
literally and figuratively.
Some have asked whether I have any regrets and I do have one regret: that
I didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people over the
next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and barriers
removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been heard. I
heard you and I will not forget.
I've seen America in this campaign and I like what I see. It's worth
fighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop.
As for the battle that ends tonight, I do believe as my father once said,
that no matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to
shape the soul and let the glory out.
So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper and our
family; with faith in God and in the country I have been so proud to
serve, from Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our
truly tireless campaign staff and volunteers, including all those who
worked so hard in Florida for the last 36 days.
Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending
struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes
around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom.
In the words of our great hymn, "America, America": "Let us crown thy good
with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."
And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it's time for
me to go.
Thank you and good night, and God bless America.
END
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