The Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pledged to fully accept the outcome of next month’s presidential election if he wins. The New York billionaire said he reserved the right to contest questionable results, deepening his unsubstantiated assertions that the race against Hillary Clinton could be rigged against him.
The comments came a day after his stunning refusal in the third and final presidential debate to say whether he would concede to Clinton if he loses. His refusal was roundly rejected by fellow Republicans.
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Arizona Senator, John McCain, the 2008 GOP nominee, called the peaceful transfer of power “the pride of our country.”
Mr. McCain said in a lengthy statement, that, “I didn’t like the outcome of the 2008 election. But I had a duty to concede, and I did so without reluctance.” “A concession isn’t just an exercise in graciousness. It is an act of respect for the will of the American people, a respect that is every American leader’s first responsibility.”
Asked in Wednesday’s debate if he would accept the election results and concede to Clinton if he loses, Trump said “I will tell you at the time. I will keep you in suspense.”
Ms. Clinton slammed Mr. Trump’s comments as “horrifying,” and fellow Democrats piled.
“That undermines our democracy,” President Barack Obama said while campaigning for Ms. Clinton in Florida. “Our democracy depends on people knowing their vote matters.”
“I would like to promise and pledge to all of my voters and supporters and to all of the people of the United States that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election,” Trump said. After letting that vow hang in the air for a few seconds, he added, “If I win.”
The Republican candidate said he would accept “a clear election result” but reserved his right to “contest or file a legal challenge” if he loses. He brushed off the likelihood of that happening with a confident prediction that “we’re not going to lose.”
Nandini
