By Sarah Toy
BU News Service
NEW YORK CITY — Hillary Clinton officially conceded the election to Donald Trump this morning at the New Yorker Hotel, where she thanked her supporters and acknowledged their disappointment.
“This is painful and it will be for a long time,” Clinton said. “But I want you to remember this: our campaign was never about one person or even one election.”
She encouraged her supporters to “look to the future” and said they owed Trump a chance to lead. “Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power,” she said.
She thanked her family and those who campaigned on her behalf, including the Obamas. President Barack Obama campaigned rigorously for his chosen Democratic successor, a rarity for sitting presidents.
Clinton directed a portion of her concession speech to young people in politics. “You will have successes and setbacks, too. This loss hurts,” she told them. “But please, never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”
A Hillary Clinton supporter gets emotional after watching Clinton enter the New Yorker Hotel to make her concession speech Wednesday morning. Photo by Alexandra Wimley/BU News Service
“I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will,” she said, invoking one of the most powerful themes from her campaign.
“To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable, and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams,” she added.
Clinton, who identifies as a Methodist, ended with a quote from the Bible — Galatians 6:9: “Let us not go weary in doing good for in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
“So my friends, let us have faith in each other,” she said, “Let us not lose heart.”
“There are more seasons to come and there is more work to do.”
For a full video of Clinton’s remarks, as well as a transcript, click here.
