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If the Presidential candidate you voted for lost, how long did it take you to congratulate the winner in 2016 or 2020?

Trippy Trekker

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As an avid Anti-Trumper, in 2016, I congratulated Team Trump in at least two posts the day after the election. I congratulated Team Trump again two days after the election.

Congratulations to all of you who participated in this highly entertaining election cycle! While I did not support Dream Team Trump, I can still admire his surreal and historic accomplishment! I turned 18 in 1974, promptly registering as a Democrat. I have never voted for a Republican Presidential candidate. During the Primary, Trump knocked out Ted Cruz, my least favorite Republican. Thereafter, I did not expect Trump to win.... but win he did! When the power baton passes in January, our new President has a Republican majority in both the Senate and House. The people have voted. The process has produced winners and losers. Life goes on. May our best times lie ahead! No need for fear. No need for panic. May we embrace grace, honor, humor and love to guide us in our endeavors! Peace to all and Good will to the human race!
It is not the critic that counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood who strives valiantly... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with the cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. - Teddy Roosevelt

Let our experiment in democracy continue! We know we have an imperfect system. Those who choose to actively participate clearly invest more of themselves and usually have the most to lose or gain. We as a people have a long history, lots of experience, complex rules and ever-changing technology that factor into how we choose those who govern us. While recognizing Dream Team Trump made this election cycle extremely interesting, I promise you I did not want Trump to win. I live and vote in Florida... one of the premiere battleground states! I tried to inform myself on issues. I expended time and effort to influence the outcome in favor of my preferred candidates and issues. My efforts on the Grand Prize obviously came up short. So be it. My congratulations to the winners! I mean it when I say thank you to Trump supporters for conducting your revolution without rampant violence. Life goes on. Let us now endeavor to progress and not digress. We still live in the greatest and most powerful hybrid capitalistic-socialistic country on planet earth!
I still support a woman's right to choose (Roe v. Wade)... believe we should spotlight campaign finance reform and overturn Citizens United... want us to maintain worldwide military strategic dominance... tweak our infrastructure... grow the middle class... emphasize affordable education and health options... protect rights to speech, diversity of ideas, sexual orientation and property... protect individuals from government overreach and intrusion... pursue informed discussion and debate in an effort to reach consensus on how best to govern for the benefit of the most people. Donald J. Trump entered the arena... aspired to the Presidency. Wow! He won! Now we await his leadership and guidance. I admit I couldn't get myself elected or do the job. We the People have our unique way of vetting those who choose to pursue the job. Congratulations President-Elect Donald J. Trump - you earned it!
 
Two days after the 2016 Election:

President-elect Donald J. Trump, from my perspective, does not personify the values I want from my President. I want a confident and competent President, I congratulate Team Trump for successfully navigating the arduous obstacle course we call the Electoral College... and we know that gives them the keys to the White House. Keep in mind, Mr Trump repeatedly called the election process rigged ... and apparently wants us to believe differently now that he pulled off a stunning upset. Mr. Trump did not win the popular vote. Many of us who DID not support him, still DO not support him. Does any LAW require us to support him? I don't think so! We who DO NOT support him represent a very powerful force to contend with.
Moving on to the Republican majority in both the Senate and the House, Mr. Trump does not have deep, firm roots in Republican ideology. In fact, Mr. Trump apparently has never run and won a public election before. Now he has an obligation to take on untold challenges in the most important job in the world. He tapped into populist sentiment. You who voted for him deem him qualified for the job. I knew better. Fortunately our system has many checks and balances. Team Trump must prove themselves worthy quickly, or face severe backlash. I don't have to blow a brain gasket just because Team Trump takes over the Executive Branch of our Federal Government. I also apologize for the Democratic Party system that elevated the Clandestine Clinton Machine as our nominee. Both major parties right now lack leadership that inspires unity. No need to despair. Please keep a positive attitude. Let our experiment in democracy continue! May our best times lie ahead!
 
I don't know about congratulating anyone but I did start this not long after the last election:


And in contrast, lying Trumpists screech on about non-existent fraud, pivoting from one hoax to another fast enough to give whiplash to anyone watching.
 
@Mr Person

I read your 2016 post, then scrolled down to the next post.

Funny how back then Bucky wanted you, me and others punished. During Trump's term, Bucky crossed over from Trumper to Anti-Trumper.

The first priority should be punishing all the liberals, liberal elites in the media and disloyal Republicans who mocked Trump. It is time they grovel and kiss his feet because a President Trump needs unity, not dissent.

President Trump:

 
I don't believe I was at DB but I remember early in 2016 maybe March telling everyone I knew Trump would be the next president.
I hoped he would soften in his presidency and that I could support some of his policies just as I had done with all previous presidents but it never happened.

I don't think I ever got a chance to congratulate the Trump team or his supporters from day one the Trump people and his supporters continuously shoveled dirt in the face of every person that didn't totally support him. It was weird seeing the winning side be so angry their person won.

I didn't fully support Hilary, I didn't support Trump at all. This time I went all out for Biden when he became the nominee but you know what I won't shovel dirt and anger on Trump supporters. I'll take the win with grace and push on fighting for the things I believe in even though Trump people are acting in almost the same way they did when they won. Still angry, still want to see liberal tears. Win or lose you can't make these people happy, so why try?
 
Quite frankly I'm a "cheer when we win, accept the results if we lose" kinda guy. I supported and voted for Trump in 2016 and voted third party this election because of Trump's lack of standing for the second amendment and his general stupidity over the years. Since I voted third party, I knew the candidate I voted for wouldn't win, but at least I voted out of my conscience.
 
Quite frankly I'm a "cheer when we win, accept the results if we lose" kinda guy. I supported and voted for Trump in 2016 and voted third party this election because of Trump's lack of standing for the second amendment and his general stupidity over the years. Since I voted third party, I knew the candidate I voted for wouldn't win, but at least I voted out of my conscience.

Are you able to say decent, specific reasons you opposed Biden?
 
Are you able to say decent, specific reasons you opposed Biden?
Mainly I have three issues with him.

1. His apparent inappropriate behavior around women and children

2. His gun control policy.

3. His abortion policy.


Everything else I either agree with, indifferent on, or I'm not versed well enough on the subject to form a coherent opinion for or against.
 
I'll confess that I was hoping up until the inauguration that something would block him. The electoral college? The pee-pee tape would be revealed? I was really hoping we would be saved from the hell we went through.

But I never denied that he won the election. I never believed he won due to election fraud.
 
Mainly I have three issues with him.

1. His apparent inappropriate behavior around women and children

2. His gun control policy.

3. His abortion policy.


Everything else I either agree with, indifferent on, or I'm not versed well enough on the subject to form a coherent opinion for or against.

Trump admits on tape that he grabs women by the ***** but you're upset because Biden is too affectionate in public? Crazy.

Gun control policy and abortion didn't change much under Obama. What do you imagine will change?

Is that a Bible and a gun?
 
As an avid Anti-Trumper, in 2016, I congratulated Team Trump in at least two posts the day after the election. I congratulated Team Trump again two days after the election.

I don't know any of these people nor do I have a means to communicate with the directly. How/why would I congratulate any of them?
 
Trump admits on tape that he grabs women by the ***** but you're upset because Biden is too affectionate in public? Crazy.

Gun control policy and abortion didn't change much under Obama. What do you imagine will change?

Is that a Bible and a gun?
As I said, I voted for him in 2016, didn't vote for him this election. A man can grow and change his opinion, you know.

As for gun policies, I hope you're right, because if not, so called assault weapons will be banned and/or made into an NFA item which requires registration and a $200 tax. I'm hoping gun control will be a back burner issue with no real moves under Biden.
 
I don't know any of these people nor do I have a means to communicate with the directly. How/why would I congratulate any of them?
Doh! You don't need to have STUPID tatooed on your forehead to stand out as a royal dumbphuk Trumper.
 
Doh! You don't need to have STUPID tatooed on your forehead to stand out as a royal dumbphuk Trumper.

Wow, triggered much? WTF are you even talking about?
 
Mainly I have three issues with him.

1. His apparent inappropriate behavior around women and children

2. His gun control policy.

3. His abortion policy.


Everything else I either agree with, indifferent on, or I'm not versed well enough on the subject to form a coherent opinion for or against.

I seriously don't understand the #1 topic. Did you apply the same standard to trump, who was far worse about that? There isn't really any substance I know of to the issue except Biden seeming a little creepily touchy, without any 'real issues'. Meanwhile, the presidency is about a lot of other things, not whether you 'like' the person in every detail.

Do you ask if the best doctor you can get for an operation acts the way you like around women and children, is a little touchy?

On 2 and 3, I can only say it's your right to make those the issues you vote on if you want, but what do you really think is going to change on abortion - if the most possible happened, overturning Roe, abortion will still be unchanged in most of the country, and in all of the country for any woman who can travel a little. Little would change on guns, either. Those seem like small issues to put above things like our democracy and plutocracy.

Otherwise, thanks for answering. I said "decent" in my question; I meant to ask a different word but can't remember what.
 
As an avid Anti-Trumper, in 2016, I congratulated Team Trump in at least two posts the day after the election. I congratulated Team Trump again two days after the election.

Well Trip, kudos to you for taking that stance at that time. It differentiates you from many others, and for that, I think you should be applauded, or at least respected, which I do.

However, I don't think the 2 elections are directly comparable, at least not at this point, or due to their differing circumstances.

I withhold any prognostication at this point until the court proceedings have reached their conclusions and the states have certified their results and the EC has cast their votes. The onus is onthe legal teams to make their case before the court and I'll abide by the courts decision. Just too many irregularities in both the ballot toting as well as the pandemic and all. Far too many variables to have a meaningful historical frame of reference for. What the nation is going through is very much without precedent, at least that I can recall. Perhaps you'll agree. Perhaps you won't. Irrespective of that the respect I extend to you exceeds that regardless.

Best wishes. E.
 
I seriously don't understand the #1 topic. Did you apply the same standard to trump, who was far worse about that? There isn't really any substance I know of to the issue except Biden seeming a little creepily touchy, without any 'real issues'. Meanwhile, the presidency is about a lot of other things, not whether you 'like' the person in every detail.

Unfortunately, I didn't at the time. I got caught up in Trumpism and dismissed such allegations as either "boys will be boys" or outright lies to discredit Trump. Now, I'm not a fan of either.
Do you ask if the best doctor you can get for an operation acts the way you like around women and children, is a little touchy?

I'd probably choose a different doctor if he was being creepy around kids. But if it came down to me dying if I don't get the operation done within the hour, I wouldn't really care.
On 2 and 3, I can only say it's your right to make those the issues you vote on if you want, but what do you really think is going to change on abortion - if the most possible happened, overturning Roe, abortion will still be unchanged in most of the country, and in all of the country for any woman who can travel a little. Little would change on guns, either. Those seem like small issues to put above things like our democracy and plutocracy.

Otherwise, thanks for answering. I said "decent" in my question; I meant to ask a different word but can't remember what.

You're welcome. I'm trying to be as intellectually honest as possible.
 
I'm trying to be as intellectually honest as possible.

It looks to me like you are. You didn't really address some of my points, but I see you honest in what you say.

I'll share one little story about politics with you, though it might not apply to you, it's something to watch for.

It's that candidates aren't often so much about what their (stated) positions are - it's more about which issues they can get you to care about.

There might be 250 issues. But if they can get you to vote based on #18, #80, and #111, while the opponents wants you to vote based on#9, #71, and #80, that's the battle - what you will vote on.

And that's where your choices are some gun issue, and some abortion policy. But you are spending a lot - on education, debt, climate, foreign policy, corruption, prosperity, worker rights and power, and much more that you aren't making the issues you vote on. I don't doubt your sincerity. But recognize that powerful, corrupt forces use abortion like a weapon to get your vote, for their own agenda. That might be ok with you, it's up to you, but recognize what's happening.

The little story I mentioned is about when Reagan was running for governor, against a popular incumbent Democrat, Pat Brown. So Reagan needed something to run on.

At each campaign speech, he would talk about those dirty protesters and the need for decent people to stand up for law and order, or some such. His campaign aides told him, 'what are you doing? The polls show the voters don't care about that issue of the protesters.'

Reagan told them, "They will." What he understood, as a longtime corporate spokesman that they didn't, was that he could get voters to change what issue they voted on, to one where he had the advantage, instead of the broad issues the voters cared about before. Reagan could get voters saying, 'ya, I DO hate those protesters, I want Reagan'. That's a good political lesson. trump did it as well, with 'issues' like immigrants and Muslims.
 
Well Trip, kudos to you for taking that stance at that time. It differentiates you from many others, and for that, I think you should be applauded, or at least respected, which I do.

However, I don't think the 2 elections are directly comparable, at least not at this point, or due to their differing circumstances.

I withhold any prognostication at this point until the court proceedings have reached their conclusions and the states have certified their results and the EC has cast their votes. The onus is onthe legal teams to make their case before the court and I'll abide by the courts decision. Just too many irregularities in both the ballot toting as well as the pandemic and all. Far too many variables to have a meaningful historical frame of reference for. What the nation is going through is very much without precedent, at least that I can recall. Perhaps you'll agree. Perhaps you won't. Irrespective of that the respect I extend to you exceeds that regardless.

Best wishes. E.
Thank you.
In the event that Trump lost the 2016 election, he planned on calling it rigged. Consistent with his highly publicized history, Trump remains ethically challenged.

 
As an avid Anti-Trumper, in 2016, I congratulated Team Trump in at least two posts the day after the election. I congratulated Team Trump again two days after the election.

I'd have to go back to 2016, but I do know that I knew on Election Night that Trump had won.

I didn't vote for Clinton either so I didn't have a massively strong reaction either way. I didn't want either one of them to win. I knew what a piece of shit Trump was and he proved me right.
 
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