John McCain Concedes 2008 Presidential Election

John McCain

Pol Light #159 occurred late in the evening of November 4, 2008, when John McCain conceded the 2008 United States Presidential Election to Barack Obama. John McCain has served as a United States Senator from Arizona since 1986. From 1982-1986 he served in the United States House of Representatives.

The following is a video of Senator John McCain's concession speech delivered from the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix on November 4, 2008. 



One of the key portions of the speech included these remarks about Barack Obama:

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight. 

I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Sen. Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still has the power to wound. 

A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit -- to dine at the White House -- was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth (Transcript of John McCain Speech, NPR).

The following is an audio of the entire speech.


John McCain has been featured on other posts at Pol Light. You can read them by searching with the "John McCain" label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of John McCain in this post is in the Public Domain.

Obama and McCain at 2008 Alfred Smith Dinner

Pol Light Moment #53 took place on October 16, 2008, when the two men running for President of the United States shared the stage to support Catholic charities and disadvantaged children. President Barack Obama (who was a U.S. Senator in 2008) and Senator John McCain were joint keynote speakers at the 63rd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York on October 16, 2008, held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Alfred E. Smith was a former Governor of New York, who was the first Catholic Presidential candidate (Source).  During Presidential election years the dinner has frequently featured the candidates for President. The 2008 rendition of this longstanding dinner raised about $4 million for Catholic charities (Source).

You can listen to the humor and wit of the evening by hearing the full video of the dinner in this video.

More information about the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner can be found at http://www.alsmithfoundation.org/thedinner.html#about. 
For other posts on Barack Obama search with the "Barack Obama" label at Pol Light. For other posts on John McCain search with the "John McCain" label at Pol Light. 
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Gabrielle Giffords Steps Down From Congress

Pol Light Moment #2 comes from Arizona, where Gabrielle Giffords who is fighting to recovery from a tragedy decides the best thing for her constituents is for her to step down. This moment includes an ongoing and inspiring fight for recovery from brain injury and and acknowledgment that there are things in life more important than politics.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot on January 8, 2011 in Tuscon, Arizona along with 18 other people (Source). For a year Rep. Giffords has been fighting hard to recover from a traumatic brain injury caused by being shot at point blank range on that day.

In an unexpected move, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords resigned her seat in Congress on January 25, 2012, saying she needed more time to work on her recovery and she wanted to do what is best for Arizona. She had represented Arizona's 8th Congressional District from 2007 until her resignation in 2012.

Here is the announcement she made on YouTube about her resignation.

For more information on the long first year of Rep. Giffords recovery, see the ABC News 20/20 story on Gabrielle Giffords recovery.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo in this post is in the Wikipedia Commons because it is an official photo of a United States Representative.