Gracious Losers

"Sometimes winds, political or otherwise, can blow the leaves off branches and even break limbs," Virginia Senator George Allen said in his concession speech Thursday, "but a deeply rooted tree will stand and stay standing. It will re-grow in the next season." Allen, finding it difficult to accept the reality of losing to his lesser-known Democratic contender, Jim Webb, was wisely following the precedent established by political losers of the past.

After Al Gore's loss in the presidential electoral vote in 2000, losers are re-examining the way they leave the political stage. After a month of court appeals and vote recounts, Gore finally stepped down, his ego undoubtedly battered. Just one day after the 2004 presidential election, John Kerry graciously conceded Ohio and the election to George W. Bush before official results were revealed. It was the closest presidential election in American history. Retaining dignity and acknowledging a loss, Kerry had no intentions of repeating the Florida ordeal of 2000.

Are these demonstrations of genuine graciousness and an acknowledgement of the strength of a two-party system, or are they code for announcing the next campaign? In Allen's case, is he still considering a run for the presidency in 2008? Apparently, as his final statements were far from subtle: "We live to fight another day for our vision of America's future."

Will conceding show a weakness that will hurt any future hopes of gaining political office? Or will his gracious acceptance show the public that Allen knows how to deal with what comes his way? Will the public be able to overlook his loss in 2006 and elect him to some new position?

The American populous will forget the importance of Allen conceding. We will forget how he stepped down, but we will not forget why Allen stepped down. Allen's previous hopes of running in the 2008 presidential elections have been compromised regardless of his attempts to leave with dignity. Al Gore for example has faded into the background of American politics; a barely-affirmed environmental activist, he now lacks any major leverage in any political circle.

Allen's intents for the future will be fruitless; his sedulous climb back up the political ladder will only end in downfall. His broken branches and fallen leaves have fallen for a reason; the winds are not only blowing, they are changing. Come next season, these gracious losers should look back on their defeat in the 2006 general elections and persist in the attitudes they held this past week. Concession, grace, and acceptance of this outcome should be their new political platforms.

Shalom,

Jake