Why does conceding matter?

[graylocks]

yeah, yeah, i know in the spirit of unity one should concede when you lose but if Trump doesn't so what? he lost. it doesn't change the result one iota if he never concedes. clinton will still be inaugurated. as my mom used to say One monkey don't stop no show. why is it such a big deal other than the tradition i keep hearing being cited?

[Onamuji]

It reaffirms the strength and integrity of the electoral process; allows both sides to move on to the business of governance; calms intemperate adherents; and when done properly is the hallmark of a person of moral character.

A good and honorable concession speech can also set the stage for a follow-up run for public office.

...And in the specific case of Trump's followers, one might hope that it prevents them from taking the country down in flames when he loses.

[davester]

What Onamuji said...and when he doesn't do it there will be affirmation that Trump is a complete and utter dirtbag and that the republican party sold its soul to the devil when they decided to field him as a candidate. Long live the GOP!

[Speedy]

Technically, it doesn't matter a wit.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-registe...dates.html

"November 8, 2016—Election Day

Registered voters cast their votes for President and Vice President. By doing so, they also help choose the electors who will represent their state in the Electoral College.

Mid-November through December 19, 2016

After the presidential election, the governor of your state prepares seven Certificates of Ascertainment. “As soon as practicable,” after the election results in your state are certified, the governor sends one of the Certificates of Ascertainment to the Archivist.

Certificates of Ascertainment should be sent to the Archivist no later than the meeting of the electors in December. However, federal law sets no penalty for missing the deadline.

The remaining six Certificates of Ascertainment are held for use at the meeting of the Electors in December.

December 13, 2016

States must make final decisions in any controversies over the appointment of their electors at least six days before the meeting of the Electors. This is so their electoral votes will be presumed valid when presented to Congress.

Decisions by states’ courts are conclusive, if decided under laws enacted before Election Day.

December 19, 2016

The Electors meet in their state and vote for President and Vice President on separate ballots. The electors record their votes on six “Certificates of Vote,” which are paired with the six remaining Certificates of Ascertainment.

The electors sign, seal, and certify six sets of electoral votes. A set of electoral votes consists of one Certificate of Ascertainment and one Certificate of Vote. These are distributed immediately as follows:

one set to the President of the Senate (the Vice President) for the official count of the electoral votes in January;

two packages to the Secretary of State in the state where the electors met—one is an archival set that becomes part of the public record of the Secretary of State's office and the other is a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes;

two packages to the Archivist—one is an archival set that becomes part of the permanent collection at the National Archives and Records Administration and the other is a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes;

and one set to the presiding judge in the district where the Electors met—this is also a reserve set that is subject to the call of the President of the Senate to replace missing or incomplete electoral votes."

[Ombligo]

There is a chance that somebody, i don't know who, may be planning to corrupt, bribe perhaps people are saying, to get some electors to change their votes. I only know what is being said....

[samintx]

A reasonable concession speech by Trump would be a signal to his minions "Its OK" but if he doesn't give a concession speech his followers are apt to start violence because their leader refuses to accept the election as legitimate.

[Speedy]

samintx wrote:
A reasonable concession speech by Trump would be a signal to his minions "Its OK" but if he doesn't give a concession speech his followers are apt to start violence because their leader refuses to accept the election as legitimate.

I doubt if there will be violence. There wasn't in 2000 and there won't be this time. The nearest thing to violence in 2000 was when Republican officials and campaign volunteers showed up where ballots were being recounted. I remember video showing future UN Amb. John Bolton in the crowd.

[Acer]

Speedy wrote:
[quote=samintx]
A reasonable concession speech by Trump would be a signal to his minions "Its OK" but if he doesn't give a concession speech his followers are apt to start violence because their leader refuses to accept the election as legitimate.

I doubt if there will be violence. There wasn't in 2000 and there won't be this time. The nearest thing to violence in 2000 was when Republican officials and campaign volunteers showed up where ballots were being recounted. I remember video showing future UN Amb. John Bolton in the crowd.
There was the Brooks Brothers Riot, but Bolton is not named in this picture. Maybe he was at the Penny Loafer Rebellion.

[rjmacs]

They key word in the phrase we've all been hearing is "peaceful." The peaceful transfer of power is what is at stake here. If you think that's a joke, keep telling yourself "it couldn't happen here."

[Speedy]

It can't happen here.