McCain Rebukes Trump: Conceding An Election Isn’t Just An Act Of Graciousness, It’s The American Way

From the statement issued today by Sen. John McCain:

“All Arizonans and all Americans should be confident in the integrity of our elections. Free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power are the pride of our country, and the envy of much of the world because they are the means to protecting our most cherished values, the right to liberty and equal justice.

“I didn’t like the outcome of the 2008 election. But I had a duty to concede, and I did so without reluctance. A concession isn’t just an exercise in graciousness. It is an act of respect for the will of the American people, a respect that is every American leader’s first responsibility.

“Whatever our differences we owe each other that respect, which we express by defending the democratic values and practices that protect us all. I don’t know who’s going to win the presidential election. I do know that in every previous election, the loser congratulates the winner and calls them, ‘my president.’

“That’s not just the Republican way or the Democratic way. It’s the American way. This election must not be any different.”