• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

BRET BAIER: Unity Is In Our Name: What Americans want to hear from the 2024 presidential election winner

by November 4, 2024
written by November 4, 2024

Election nights occur in an atmosphere of exhaustion and relief as our presidential campaign cycles have grown longer. Ask people how they feel on election eve, and you’re likely to hear, ‘I just want it to be over.’ We don’t know if a winner will be announced on November 5, or later. But eventually, there will be a winner, and at whatever point either Donald J. Trump or Kamala Harris steps up to the victor’s podium, their words will set the tone for the coming days and years. 

What do the American people want to hear—no matter who is standing there? As a passionate student of our great nation’s remarkable history, I can say they want to hear a message of unity, not division. 

Our forty-first President, George Herbert Walker Bush, was not known for his soaring oratory. However, on the night of November 8, 1988, after winning the presidency, he struck an eloquent note as he shifted from campaign to governance. ‘A campaign,’ he said, ‘is a disagreement, and disagreements divide, but an election is a decision, and decisions clear the way for harmony and peace.’ 

It struck me that the ability to distinguish between the divisive nature of a campaign and the pragmatic unification demanded by governance was a perfect description of the democratic process first executed by the Founders. Bush was saying that he knew people were feeling bruised from the fight, but he hoped they could move on to work together for the good of the nation.

Calls for unity have been a common thread for election night speeches, no matter how divisive our campaigns.

On November 5, 1952, Dwight Eisenhower learned he’d won the election, and began to make his way to the ballroom where his supporters were gathered. He had just replied to a gracious concession telegram from his opponent, Adlai Stevenson. When he arrived in the ballroom, Eisenhower read his response to his supporters. ‘I thank you for your courteous and generous message. Recognizing the intensity of the difficulties that lie ahead, it is clearly necessary that men and women of goodwill of both parties forget the political strife through which we have passed and devote themselves to the single purpose of a better future. This I believe they will do.’ Eisenhower then cautioned the crowd that the only way to succeed in the presidency was as a united people. ‘Let us unite for the better future for America, for our children, and for our grandchildren.’

Not every president-elect, flush with victory, reaches out to the other side, but most do. Probably the most dramatic case was Abraham Lincoln’s reelection in 1864, while the nation was at war. The war showed no signs of abating, and the future was uncertain. Unity seemed impossible. 

Speaking to a crowd, Lincoln noted that it had long been a question, now more urgent, whether the nation could be strong enough to maintain its existence in the worst emergency. He noted that the election ‘has demonstrated that a people’s government can sustain a national election in the midst of a great civil war. Until now, it has not been known to the world that this was a possibility. It shows also how sound, and how strong we still are.’ Lincoln asked his supporters to extend goodwill to their opponents and spoke of his hope that a unified nation could endure. The war ended the following year.

Unity did not come easily after the war, and the years after the assassination of Lincoln were tumultuous. In 1868, the Republicans turned to General Ulysses S. Grant, the hero of the war, believing he was the one who could bring the nation together. Grant was a reluctant candidate, but he was clear about his mission. His written acceptance of his nomination contained the line that would become his rallying cry as president: ‘Let us have peace.’

There have been other contentious eras. When Richard Nixon stood before supporters late on the night of November 6, 1968, to declare victory over Vice President Hubert Humphrey, the war in Vietnam was at its height, and masses of antiwar demonstrators filled the streets. The election had been bitter, and many people believed the foundations of democracy were in jeopardy. 

Once again, there was doubt that unity was possible. But that night, Nixon told a story about unity. On the trail, he said, he’d seen many campaign signs. ‘Some of them were not friendly, and some were very friendly. But the one that touched me the most was one that I saw in Deshler, Ohio, at the end of a long day of whistle-stopping, a little town. I suppose five times the population was there in the dusk, almost impossible to see—but a teenager held up a sign, ‘Bring Us Together.’ And that will be the great objective of this Administration at the outset, to bring the American people together. This will be an open Administration, open to new ideas, open to men and women of both parties, open to the critics as well as those who support us.’ 

Conciliatory gestures by the victors are important, but so are offers of support by those who lost. In defeat, many presidential hopefuls stand at the podium, crushed by the loss but holding up their heads along with the principles of democracy. Some can still inspire us.

‘The Nation has spoken,’ Alf Landon wrote to Franklin Roosevelt on November 4, 1936. ‘Every American will accept the verdict and work for the common cause of the good of our country. That is the spirit of democracy.’

In 1948, Thomas Dewey, who might have been shocked to lose since the media had declared him the winner at one point during the vote count, conceded to Harry Truman with these generous words: ‘My heartiest congratulations on your election and every good wish for a successful administration. I urge all Americans to unite behind you in support of every effort to keep our nation strong and free and to establish peace in the world.’

And Walter Mondale, after a humiliating landslide loss to Ronald Reagan in 1984, spoke truly inspiring words about who we are as a nation—articulating the essence of America: ‘Again tonight, the American people, in town halls, in homes, in fire houses, in libraries, chose the occupant of the most powerful office on earth. Their choice was made peacefully, with dignity and with majesty, and although I would have rather won, tonight we rejoice in our democracy, we rejoice in the freedom of a wonderful people, and we accept their verdict. I thank the people of America for hearing my case.’ 

Reagan, in his 1984 election night remarks, spoke about the higher calling, shared by citizens and candidates alike. ‘Here in America, the people are in charge,’ he said. ‘And that’s really why we’re here tonight. This electoral victory belongs to you and the principles that you cling to—principles struck by the brilliance and bravery of patriots more than 200 years ago. They set forth the course of liberty and hope that makes our country special in the world.’ 

The reminder of who we are and who we will become has special meaning on the eve of the 2024 election. On July 4, 2026, about halfway through the next presidential term, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, the date when the founding document of the nation, the Declaration of Independence, was signed. 

It was the beginning of the United States of America. Unity is in our name. 

Bret Baier is a New York Times bestselling author of five presidential biographies. Click here to visit Bret Baier Books.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
10 questions that should haunt Democrats this Election Day
next post
Sen. Mike Lee warns Democrats would ‘Rule America uncontested for 100 years’ if they sweep 2024 elections

related articles

Recess on ice as Republicans hunker down for...

August 1, 2025

Trump moves nuclear submarines weeks after praising sub’s...

August 1, 2025

WATCH: Trump says he is hopeful Hillary Clinton...

August 1, 2025

Iran says it has ‘plenty of scientists’ left...

August 1, 2025

Trump endorses ‘MAGA warrior’ for RNC chairman after...

August 1, 2025

Trump repositions 2 nuclear submarines after ‘highly provocative’...

August 1, 2025

Kavanaugh cites 3 presidents in explaining Supreme Court’s...

August 1, 2025

China’s growing nuclear arsenal aims to break US...

August 1, 2025

Trump ally Bukele’s party amends El Salvador constitution...

August 1, 2025

Trump takes jab at GOP senator, urging Republicans...

August 1, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • Democrats seize on Epstein files drama with new transparency calls

    July 14, 2025
  • Amazon to invest another $4 billion in Anthropic, OpenAI’s biggest rival

    November 23, 2024
  • Disney tops quarterly profit estimates, but starts to lose Disney+ streaming subscribers

    February 5, 2025
  • Former Romney adviser bankrolled by left-wing groups ripped for leading anti-DOGE charge: ‘Paid puppet’

    April 1, 2025
  • EURUSD and GBPUSD: GBPUSD under pressure to stay bullish

    September 30, 2024

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,602)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (867)

Latest Posts

  • Rio Tinto considers $32 billion acquisition of Canadian mining giant Teck Resources

    July 12, 2024
  • TSA expected to end shoes-off policy at many airports across US

    July 8, 2025
  • EURGBP and EURCHF: EURGBP finds support again at 0.84000

    July 18, 2024

Recent Posts

  • Trump greets Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, says World War III could happen if Harris wins

    July 26, 2024
  • Harris hauls in $81 million in first 24 hours since Biden bowed out

    July 22, 2024
  • Sports streaming venture from Fox, Disney and Warner Bros. priced at $42.99 a month

    August 1, 2024

Editor’s Pick

  • Harris to oversee certification of her defeat to Trump in presidential election: ‘Sacred obligation’

    January 6, 2025
  • President Trump announces multiple judicial nominees, accuses court system of blocking him from doing his job

    May 7, 2025
  • Battleground state voters blame Dems’ ‘toxic’ rhetoric for attempts on Trump’s life

    September 18, 2024
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock