# Will Gore concede with class? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 13, 2000, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404 "2000-12-13T20:43:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Freedom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Freedom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freedom)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/21 "2000-12-13T23:47:12Z")
> [@](#): > > * * * > > ## Originally posted by TampaFlyer If he had class his speech would end like Budd Dwyer’s last press conference. > > Take two running jumps and go to hell, Tampa. I saw Budd’s last minutes, and it was not pretty nor particularly funny. Would you please fill in the details for those of us not in the know? It does sound juicy… ---
**Author:** ![Freedom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Freedom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freedom)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/22 "2000-12-13T23:56:54Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m beginning to think that it makes no difference what Gore says tonight. He could make the angels weep with his graciousness, and your opinion of him wouldn’t change. I’ll make my position plain and objective. IMHO…to be classy, Gore has to: Not mention the Popular vote. Use the word concede. Throw his full support behind Bush and call him President-elect. Urge concillation and acceptance by his supporters. That would do it for me. > [@](#): > > Way to stick by your bet, Freedom. Gore has made it quite clear that this election is not over. The bet was for 400 electors. I’m holding out hope that the Gore electors will be so disgusted by Gore they will switch their vote. We will know if I lose on Dec. 18th. However…if Gore sees fit to concede, then I will also concede. > [@](#): > > One (1) flag. > One (1) Tipper hug/smooch. I’m going with 4 flags, no Tipper appearance, but probably a mention. > [@](#): > > Well F2, you were the one who predicted that Gore would “leave the door open for an elector to change their vote.” If Gore’s views on “turncoat electors” (which, as hansel noted, he has explicitly denounced) are in fact irrelevant and devoid of practical effect, then your original remark is meaningless and I don’t see why you brought it up. My point was not that he would have any binding effect, but that he would not have a classy, definitive concession speech. (Which is what this thread **IS** about. Remember?) ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/23 "2000-12-14T00:07:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Freedom2 \* > \*\* > Would you please fill in the details for those of us not in the know? It does sound juicy… \*\* Er, bad choice of words, **Freedom**. Dwyer was Pennsylvania State Treasurer back in the late '80’s. He got in trouble over some bribery/embezzlement scandal (the details of which are pretty hazy to me now). After a court hearing which found him all but guilty, Dwyer held a press conference, ostensibly to resign. He spoke for about 15 minutes, during which he started rambling a lot, blaming a lot of people totally unrelated to the scandal and not exactly sounding all that with it. Suddenly he picks a big envelope out of his pocket and takes out a gun. After holding the gun in the air for a while, he put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger. I saw this on TV _live_. That’s the sort of thing you don’t forget in a hurry. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/24 "2000-12-14T00:09:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TampaFlyer \* > \*\*If he had class his speech would end like Budd Dwyer’s last press conference. \*\* DING DING DING DING!!! Folks, no need to keep playing! WE HAVE A WINNER…yes, WE HAVE A WINNER. In the ongoing contest to see who can say the meanest, nastiest, rudest, most vile and unforgivably ugly thing, the judges have determined that this latest entry simply cannot be topped. Congratulations…your family must be very proud! Any word for the folks at home? stoid ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/25 "2000-12-14T00:16:44Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Duke \* \*\* > [@](#): > > I saw this on TV _live_. That’s the sort of thing you don’t forget in a hurry. \*\* I only saw the instant replay, myself. But it was very educational regards the details to such an act. Ever since I saw it, I laugh at the puny attempts by filmakers to portray blowing ones’ brains out iin such a way as to be shocking. They just can’t compete. stoid ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/26 "2000-12-14T00:19:20Z")
**Freedom2:** \*I’ll make my position plain and objective. IMHO…to be classy, Gore has to: [1] Not mention the Popular vote. [2] Use the word concede. [3a] Throw his full support behind Bush and [3b] call him President-elect. [4] Urge concillation and acceptance by his supporters. \* I don’t see the need for Gore to whitewash this **very** flukey and statistically inconclusive election with [2] and [3b]. I agree on the desirability of [1], [3a], and [4], though. **Duke** , thanks for clearing up the Dwyer reference for us (I think. Yuck). **TampaFlyer** : EEEEEWWWWW!!! You have just totally, permanently, disqualified yourself as a judge of “class”. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/27 "2000-12-14T00:27:17Z")
Ugh! I was asking my dad about it…he said it was a big scandal. ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/28 "2000-12-14T00:28:16Z")
**Duke** : > [@](#): > > Take two running jumps and go to hell, Tampa. [Moderator Hat ON] Personal insults are not allowed in Great Debates, Duke. The proper action would have been to flame Tampa’s breathtakingly tasteless comment in the BBQ Pit we have thoughtfully provided for that purpose. Thanks. [Moderator Hat OFF] ---
**Author:** ![brionl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@brionl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brionl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/29 "2000-12-14T00:39:12Z")
I think that any chance for “with class” from either of the candidates expired about a week after the election. My bet is on Gore not using the actual word “concede” in his speech tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/30 "2000-12-14T00:53:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by brionl \* > I think that any chance for “with class” from either of the candidates expired about a week after the election. My bet is on Gore not using the actual word “concede” in his speech tonight. Here’s an honest question, perhaps better suited for GQ or for my own research: of all the presidential race concession speeches in American history, how many of them actually _did_ use the word “concede” in their text? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/31 "2000-12-14T00:58:19Z")
My votes Popular Vote (5) mention Wife (2) court battles mentioned (5) “will of the people” (10) concede (0) ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/32 "2000-12-14T01:00:32Z")
**Gaudere** : Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I really should have known better \. (Darn, I was really hoping I’d make it to 1,000 posts without a moved/closed thread or a telling-off from a moderator. Goes to show you how much I was irked by **Tampa** ’s classless statement.) ---
**Author:** ![hansel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@hansel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hansel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/33 "2000-12-14T02:08:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Freedom2 \* > \*\*Not mention the Popular vote. > Use the word concede. > Throw his full support behind Bush and call him President-elect. > Urge concillation and acceptance by his supporters. > \*\* He didn’t mention the popular vote. He offered his “concession”. He called Bush the “president-elect” (several times). He urged everyone to put aside partisanship, and “to unite behind our next president”. [homer voice] **IN YOUR FACE, FREEDOM2!** [/homer voice] More cynically, I’ll say that he’s preserving his chances for running in '04. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/34 "2000-12-14T02:09:56Z")
A word comes to mind, in Yiddish: _Mensch_. ---
**Author:** ![hansel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@hansel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hansel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/35 "2000-12-14T02:10:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hansel \* > \*\*More cynically, I’ll say that he’s preserving his chances for running in '04. \*\* Now, let’s see him dodge responsibility for losing an election that was supposed to be a shoe-in. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/36 "2000-12-14T02:10:40Z")
As one of those who hardly ever has anything good to say about Gore, I would be remiss if I didn’t say I thought it was a good speech. Too bad Gore couldn’t _deliver_ a good speech if his life depended on it. He tried hard to sound natural, I can tell that. And that’s not the important point here. To the extent that he believes what he said, I give him kudos. I hope other Democrats will take their cues from him, and not from the likes of what is coming from Jesse Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/37 "2000-12-14T02:11:41Z")
I thougt Gore’s speech showed him at his very best. It was short, meaningful, and gracious. Not bad for an “inertebrate.” Well done. ---
**Author:** ![SouthernStyle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@SouthernStyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SouthernStyle)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/38 "2000-12-14T02:12:03Z")
Well, Gore certainly fooled the hell out of me. It was by far, a more gracious and appropriately toned speech than I thought him willing to give. I commend him on his actions. SouthernStyle ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/39 "2000-12-14T02:12:42Z")
Not too bad, as it turns out, but he couldn’t help but be a bit smarmy at the end. ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404/40 "2000-12-14T02:13:38Z")
Just listened to it. Thats class. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gore-concede-with-class/45404.md?page=3)