At a rally in Ohio last month, Donald Trump told a frothing crowd of supporters that he would accept the results of the presidential election only if he won.
Fortunately for the sake of our democracy, his opponents are an infinitely more mature lot.
Earlier today, Hillary Clinton gave a concession speech full of grace, courage and hope.
Now, Barack Obama has followed suit by acknowledging Trump’s victory in a way that will hopefully teach the Donald a thing or two about the kind of temperament required to be an effective president:
At a White House press conference this afternoon, Obama stated that outgoing president George W. Bush “could not have been more helpful and gracious” in easing his own transition to power.
“So I have instructed my team to follow the example that President Bush’s team set eight years ago and work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a successful transition for the president-elect,” the .
“We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country.”
Obama went on to encourage unity and a mending of the deep ideological divisions that were highlighted and exacerbated by this lengthy race for the White House:
“The day after, we have to remember that we are actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage,” Obama said.
“We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country.
“That’s what I heard in Mr. Trump’s remarks last night. That’s what I heard when I spoke to him directly. And I was heartened by that.”
Indeed, Trump’s victory speech was far more even-keeled and conciliatory than the fiery and often slanderous rhetoric that we’ve become accustomed to over the course of his campaign.
However, the incendiary and bigoted promises Trump made during his campaign have left millions fearing for their safety.
Additionally, Trump’s mental instability and lifetime of legal baggage have many wondering if he’ll even be able to complete his term in office.
For now, however, Obama is hoping for the best – and encouraging his supporters to do the same:
“If we lose — we learn from our mistakes, we do some reflection, we lick our wounds, we brush ourselves off. Then we go forward, with the presumption of good faith in our fellow citizens.”
“That is why I am confident that this incredible journey we are on as Americans will go on.”
Obama also heaped praise upon his former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who lost the election despite winning more votes than Trump.
“She has lived an extraordinary life of public service,” Obama said of Clinton.