Hillary Clinton emerged Wednesday morning after a crushing loss at the hands of Republican Donald Trump and a repudiation by the American people, admitting that she’d been deeply stung by the loss but vowing to respect the result while encouraging Americans to keep “an open mind” about the incoming president.
Speaking in New York City and flanked by her family, a somber Mrs. Clinton made the first attempt to mend the wounds of a divided nation and to encourage fellow Democrats to get past their anger.
“I know how disappointed you feel because I feel it, too. And so do tens of millions of Americans who invested their hopes and dreams in this effort,” she said. “This is painful and it will be for a long time, but I want you to remember this: Our campaign was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love and about building an America that’s hopeful, inclusive, and big-hearted.”
“We have seen our nation is more deeply divided than we thought, but I still believe in America and I always will,” she continued. “And if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power. And we don’t just respect that, we cherish it.”
Her speech comes just hours after a historic, stunning defeat at the hands of Mr. Trump in which the billionaire captured Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and other states that supposedly formed a Democratic firewall. The loss has left Democrats scratching their heads in amazement that the former first lady, inarguably one of the most accomplished presidential candidates in modern history, was unable to overcome a political neophyte who made some of the most controversial statements ever seen in national politics.