To concede or not?

Factual Questions
1

Ok, after Al lost (sort of) he concded the election to George W. This happens all of the time in elections.

Is there any political significance to this gesture or is it strictly a gentleman’s gesture.

Why would one chose to concede? Why not just pack up your toys and go home?

2

You concede the election because:

  1. it is polite
  2. it tells your supporters not to get upset at the winner
  3. it gives you an opportunity to thank people and make one last speech
  4. it makes you not look like a jerk if you decide to run again for another office.
3

Its basically a gentlemans gesture. But in this election it was good to see that Gore was willing to concede(and I assume Bush would have as well).Considering that we are a country that will riot when a team makes it to the final four, there is always potential for violent disagreement with the process. If the losing candidate had come out and said ‘this is bullshit, we arn’t going to take it lying down’ then it could have to dangerous consequences. Despite my cynicism about politicians in general I do believe that none of them would go so far as to promote a riot, and the concession is basically a way for the candidate to admit his loss, and promote the ‘healing of the chasm’, so that the violent morons out there don’t have a leg to stand on.