"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've just passed,"
said Gore.Speaking from the Eisenhower Executive Building, Gore stated "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."
While stating that he "strongly" disagreed with
yesterdays 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that ended the recount of Florida votes,
Gore said he had accepted it.
"Tonight, for the sake of our unity as a
people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession," stated
the Vice President.
Summing up his feelings on the election, Gore stated,
"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."
• Transcript
of Al Gore's
Concession Speech
• Transcript
of President-Elect Bush's Acceptance Speech
• High Court Not
Political, Justices Say
After concurring in a 5-4 ruling that ultimately decided a presidential
election, Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Clarence Thomas appeared
on cable TV where they denied that partisan politics plays any role in the
Supreme Court.
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