HOURS AFTER CONCEDING the election to her rival Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton has spoken about the disappointment and pain she feels.
Speaking to her election team at a New York hotel, the defeated Democratic candidate said, “I know how disappointed you feel because I do too.”
After receiving a rapturous applause and standing ovation, the former Secretary of State confirmed she had spoken with president-elect Donald Trump, adding that she hopes he will be a “successful president for all Americans”.
She apologised for not being able to take the team across the line – and to the White House – yesterday.
This is not the outcome we wanted… I am sorry we didn’t win this election for the values we share and vision we hold for our country.
With tears in her eyes, and her voice choking for a moment, she continued:
“This is painful and it will be for a long time.
“This election was never about one person or one election… Our nation is more deeply divided than we thought… Donald Trump is going to be our president.
We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead.
She noted that Americans should respect and cherish the peaceful transfer of power, as well as the rule of law, the principle that all people are equal and the right to freedom of worship and expression.
Clinton repeated her famous line about smashing the ‘highest and hardest ceiling of them all’.
“I know we have still not shattered [it]… Someday, someone will and hopefully someone sooner than we might think right now.
Speaking to young women in the crowd beginning their careers, she warned them that they will too have successes and setbacks.
“This loss hurts but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”
‘To all the little girls watching this’ she also had a message.
“You are valuable, powerful, deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue your dreams.”
Clinton thanked the current White House administration, saying the country owes the “an enormous debt of gratitude” for their “graceful, determined leadership”.
Joined by her husband Bill, daughter Chelsea and son-in-law Mark on stage, she said her love for them “means more than I could ever express”.
President Obama also addressed the nation today. Just after 5pm Irish time, he made his way outside the White House to speak with reporters about Trump’s win. He had already made contact with his replacement, inviting him to Washington DC for a meeting on Thursday.
His speech focused on the transition of power, rather than the Republican’s victory.
He said that his team has been instructed to be gracious and professional over the next three months, just as George Bush’s administration was in 2008.
President-elect Donald Trump’s victory speech has been remarked upon for being conciliatory in tone and content. He praised Clinton for working “very long and very hard over a long period of time”, saying the country owes here a “major debt of gratitude”.
“Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division. I want to reach out to all Republicans and Democrats across this nation and say it is time for us to come together as one united people. It’s time,” he said.
Obama picked up on the substance of his comments, saying “we are all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country”.
On the election, he said:
“We try really hard to persuade people that we’re right, and then people vote. And then, if we lose, we learn from our mistakes, we do some reflection, we lick our wounds, we brush ourselves off, we get back in the arena.
“We go at it. We try even harder the next time. The point though, is that we all go forward, with a presumption of good faith in our fellow citizens.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say