[Orin Kerr, November 4, 2008 at 11:35pm] Trackbacks
McCain Concedes:
Congratulations to Senator Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. He ran a very strong campaign, I thought: His defeat of Hillary Clinton in the primary was a quite an accomplishment, and he was in control for most of the general election. This was a tough election for any Republican to win, but I thought Obama was also an unusually strong candidate: Perhaps the best Democratic nominee I have seen. Anyway, we can now (finally) put the long fought campaign behind us. Best of luck to Senator Obama as he looks ahead to the Presidency.
Joshua:
To paraphrase Adm. Cartwight from Star Trek VI, I don't know whether to congratulate Obama or not. Three months from now he just might wish McCain had won tonight.

Anyhow, there are two glimmers of hope for the GOP going forward:

1) No Dem supermajority in the Senate at least (as of this post, the House remains to be seen).

2) I don't recall whether it was Fox News or MSNBC that reported this, but apparently exit polls have been showing that Sarah Palin was a non-factor for Obama voters. That seems to confirm what I've suspected all along, that Palin's presence didn't torpedo McCain - the bad economy torpedoed them both. So at least Palin still comes out of this not looking too bad, and definitely still the early favorite for the GOP nod in 2012.
11.4.2008 11:42pm
Joe Bingham (mail):
we can now (finally) put the long fought campaign behind us

Yes, just like the democrats did...
11.5.2008 12:07am
Oren:
What does a supermajority in the House do for the dems?
11.5.2008 12:12am
Joe Bingham (mail):
Oren, Less likely to lose it in two years?
11.5.2008 12:18am
Cornellian (mail):
So at least Palin still comes out of this not looking too bad, and definitely still the early favorite for the GOP nod in 2012.

Nominating her would probably be the best thing the Republicans could do to ensure Obama's reelection. I noticed today she refused to say whether she voted for Ted Stevens.
11.5.2008 12:19am
OrinKerr:
Joe Bingham,

Not in a gracious mood?
11.5.2008 12:22am
MLS:
"Gracious" is quite apt to describe Senator McCain's speech conceeding the election to Senator Obama. "Class" is yet another that comes to mind.

It was certainly one of the best speeches I have had the privilege to witness, and speaks well of his character and devotion to our nation.
11.5.2008 12:28am
LM (mail):
Joshua:

Three months from now he just might wish McCain had won tonight.

A few days ago I heard someone predict the winner will demand a recount.
11.5.2008 12:44am
Randy R. (mail):
What is particularly nice is that this win was not dependent upon any one state. We don't have to obsess over any one county or precinct making or breaking the election. The wins were large enough no one can challenge the votes, there will be no recounts, no charges of Obama stealing the election. It was a clean sweep and now we can move on and away from Bush all the more quickly.
11.5.2008 12:57am
hawkins:

It was certainly one of the best speeches I have had the privilege to witness, and speaks well of his character and devotion to our nation.


An incredibly gracious speech. At least for the first half, definitely the best speech I've ever seen him give.
11.5.2008 12:57am
LM (mail):
For anyone watching the returns on ABC, was Diane Sawyer always this affected? I thought she used to be a serious journalist. Or maybe I was just more superficial. (Ummm, that's hardly possible.)
11.5.2008 2:00am
A Law Dawg:
For anyone watching the returns on ABC, was Diane Sawyer always this affected? I thought she used to be a serious journalist. Or maybe I was just more superficial.


She's terrible.
11.5.2008 4:09am
Joe Bingham (mail):
Prof. Kerr,

Kidding, of course. :) I'm not in a gracious mood, per se, but I'm going to put a friendly face on it.
11.5.2008 8:47am
Michael Drake (mail) (www):
McCain's speech was admirably gracious, articulate and brave. What is it though with candidates (I'm thinking of Kerry, Gore, now McCain) that they seem to strike just the right tone only after it would have done them some good in the actual election?
11.5.2008 9:59am
EH (mail):
It was certainly one of the best speeches I have had the privilege to witness, and speaks well of his character and devotion to our nation.

In light of the campaign he ran, his speech can be seen as contrition.
11.5.2008 10:46am
LM (mail):
EH:

In light of the campaign he ran, his speech can be seen as contrition.

Like most of the pandering and policy backpeddling he's done the past few years to make himself politically viable, he never seemed to believe any of it, and I don't he think he convinced anyone, least of all the Republican base. I always and continued to believe he was the "old" John McCain, which may be why despite being a Koolaid drinking Obama supporter I remained more positive about McCain than did many of his supporters.
11.5.2008 6:24pm
David Warner:
Cornellian,

"Nominating her would probably be the best thing the Republicans could do to ensure Obama's reelection. I noticed today she refused to say whether she voted for Ted Stevens."

I'm sure there are many Republicans who can remember 1992 who would advise you to be careful what you wish for. See "The Age of Clinton" in this book.
11.6.2008 2:10am