Good evening. Just moments ago I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming

the 43rd President of the United States. And I promised him that I wouldn't call him

back this time. I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start

to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contests through which we've just passed.

Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had

just defeated him for the presidency, partisan feeling, much yield to patriotism. I'm with

you, Mr. President, and God bless you. Well, in that same spirit, I say to President

elect Bush, that what remains of partisan ranker must now be put aside and may God bless

his stewardship of this country. Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult

road, certainly neither of us wanted it to happen, yet it came and now it has ended. Resolved

as it must be resolved through the honored institutions of our democracy. Over the

library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto, not under man, but under

God and law. That's the ruling principle of American freedom, the source of our democratic

liberties. I've tried to make it my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's

deliberations of all the complex issues of the past five weeks. Now the U.S. Supreme

Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt while I strongly disagree with the Court's decision

I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome which will be ratified next Monday

in the electoral college. And tonight for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength

of our democracy, I offer my concession. I also accept my responsibility, which I will

discharge unconditionally, to honor the new President elect and do everything possible

to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our declaration

of independence defines, and that our Constitution affirms and defends. Let me say how grateful

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