DUer Needs Help in Concession Thank You

[louis c]

I lost a close election in my home town.

Here's the scenario.

My home town weekly will be publishing thank yous from the candidates. It's easy to say thank you when you win. What's the proper protocol for thank you when losing.

Here's what I'd like to convey. There will be a picture with my wife and I. I wish to thank those who helped me. I lost an election in which 8,100 people voted, by 91 votes, in my first attempt at public office.

I would like some suggestions on some historic quote for the occasion. Something I can attribute to someone else that is recognized at this same point. I don't wish to make it sound like I'm comparing myself to some great historical figure who lost and came back, like Lincoln. That's far to presumptuous.

I'm looking for something by Mark Twain or Will Rogers. A quote for the occasion without looking egotistical. After all, I lost.

Please, do better than the suggestions by my friends, "You won't have me to kick around anymore", or "I shall return". Those two have already been rejected. (sarcasm intended).

Come on DUers, you can do it. Make me look smart during my down period.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Ahem

Condolences on your loss, but, really, this is an intensely personal statement you're about to make, and it should be all yours.

It should reflect your own talents and abilities and, in the best of all worlds, show to the voters why they should consider you next time - if there is a next time.

But, you can google with the best of them, I'm sure. So, please, write your own statement from your own heart, and, you know, your own quotes, your own words, will define you.

I'm a professional novelist. I know all about "down" periods, and I'm convinced they're the richest of all.

But, they are all yours, no one else's, as must your statement be.

Best of luck to you.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Congrats on running for office

Okay I have one suggestion.

Will Rogers once said there is no such thing as a stranger just a friend I have not met yet. And this district proves that. As my wife and I visited many of you we found nothing but friends, those who voted for me and those who didn't. I will always remember the kindness of all and hope that our friendships can grow. I congratulate (the winner of the race) and wish him strength and wisdom in the performance of his duties and offer him any assistance as he tackles our districts issues in the future.

I'm not too good with a wrench but I'm hell with a keyboard.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. Boss, you need to run for office

Just so we can have the pleasure of your speeches. Pure gold, my man.

[BOSSHOG]

4. I spent alot of time on the podium in the Navy

I'd have you laughing and crying during a training session on hangar deck safety or money management. My wife says I'm full of crap. She's good with brevity.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

13. Navy? Me too!

Where, when, and doing what?

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. BOSS, That is perfect!

You are GOOD!:hi:

[MrBenchley]

5. The wonderful Dick Tuck said

"The people have spoken, the bastards!"

Not that I recommend it...

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. A fool and his money are soon elected.

I kid...I kid...I know you said not too, but I couldn't help myself.

;)


More Seriously:'


For moving on: Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.


The fellow that can only see a week ahead is always the popular fellow, for he is looking with the crowd. But the one that can see years ahead, he has a telescope but he can't make anybody believe that he has it.

[NNadir]

7. I think the standard formula is this.

1) You congratulate your opponent.

2) You thank your supporters.

3) You thank your family.

4) You remark on how wonderful & great your would-be constituency is and what a privilege it has been to participate in the community.

5) You repeat all of the issues that you raised during the campaign and - especially if you are bitter - you say how proud you are for having raised them. You promise to continue to work for them whether you actually plan to do so or not.

6) You make a statement wishing your opponent luck and advising him that the best way to succeed is by being more like you.

7) You go home, kick off your shoes, cry a little cry if you want to, have a drink if you drink, go to sleep, wake up the next day and get on with your life.

These are the points of the standard formula. Adjust them at will. Were it I - and it will not be since I am not qualified for any public office - and my opponent were a particularly obnoxious Repuke, I would adjust number 1 to make it an underhanded slam. But I would do expecting never even to be nominated again.

[melody]

9. some of my favorite Twainisms

BTW, sorry you lost, my friend, but 91 votes is an amazing margin for loss. You almost made it.

I'm avoiding work today, so I kicked around my sig file for some Twain quotes for you. :)


Here's my favorite, but it probably won't do. :)

I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.

This sounds a little like a knock to your opponent, but it might work:

It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not to deserve them.

Here are some general ones:

It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.

Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.

Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.

Sane and intelligent human beings are like all other human beings, and carefully and cautiously and diligently conceal their private real opinions from the world and give out fictitious ones in their stead for general consumption.

The radical of one century is the conservative of the next. The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out the conservative adopts them.

Then of course there is the classic --
The report of my death was an exaggeration.

None of these quite seem to fit, but it might get you started with thinking. It was also fun looking for them. Thanks.

[bleever]

10. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

While I may not have reached my destination yet, I am grateful to everyone who helped me move further towards my goal, and I assure them that I will continue on, because I believe this is the right road to travel, and that I have worthy companions.

(Congratulations on coming so close to victory in your first race! :toast: )

[louis c]

15. This is also good

and my wife is Asian

[wellstone_democrat]

11. Take this one from the great Davy Crockett when he lost

a re-election for Congress from Tenn. Someone said: whatcha gonna do now Davy?

Sez our Davey...."You can go to hell, I'm going to Texas!"

Doesn't really fit your situation I know but ever since I heard it in history class back in the day, I've been looking for a place to use it. There ya go, its yours!


sorry about the election---thanks for fighting the good fight.

[Rowdyboy]

12. George McGovern in 1972 said "It hurts too much to laugh...."

...and I'm too old to cry"

He was quoting Adlai Stevenson who was, I believe, quoting Abe Lincoln.

I know, its way overblown for the situation, but I can still choke up thinking about McGovern that night.

[louis c]

14. I like this one

and I was a big McGovern fan in 1972.

I just may use that one.

anyway, it's a finalist.

[Rowdyboy]

17. I can't find verification McGovern said it (only my memory) but here's

Stevenson's quote

In defeat, some politicians rise to lofty poetic heights, offering gracious words of support to the victor while bringing tears to the eyes of his or her faithful followers. Adlai Stevenson lost the presidency twice to Dwight Eisenhower, but set the gold standard for modern concession speeches by quoting Abraham Lincoln in his failed 1952 run for the White House. After an unsuccessful election bid, Stevenson related, Lincoln said "he felt like a little boy who had stubbed his toe in the dark. He said that he was too old to cry but it hurt too much to laugh."

http://www.coafes.umn.edu/Bowing_out_with_dignity__It_takes_skill_to_craft_a_concession_speech__Some_folks_have_it__some_don_t.html

Thanks for running. If more people like you would make the sacrifice, America might gonce again become the kind of country I once was proud of.

[louis c]

18. I just finished the text

here it is.


Congratulations to those who were elected to the School Committee


Thank you to the voters of Revere who participated in our democratic system.


We extend our undying gratitude to our friends and family who supported us. Your love and devotion will always be in our hearts.


Our names appear over the our photo.

under our photo is this quote.

"I feel like the little boy who just stubbed his toe in the dark. He said he was too old to cry, but it hurt too much to laugh" (Abraham Lincoln following his unsuccessful election attempt for the U.S. Senate).

[Rowdyboy]

20. Superb!

Class act. Now come back and beat the bastids silly next time!

[louis c]

22. Actually, I have revised the text

see below

[louis c]

21. Actually, I have revised the text

to..........We extend our undying gratitude to our family and friends who supported us during this campaign. (I'm eliminating the love and devotion part, it seems a little too syrupy)

Also, after the Lincoln quote (Abraham Lincoln, following his unsuccessful attempt for the U.S. Senate in 1858). I've deleted the word election and added the date.

[melody]

16. I like that one, too,

And yes, it was Lincoln's, during the Lincoln Douglas debates.

The actual verbatim was:

It hurts too much to laugh and I'm too big to cry.

[louis c]

19. I guess Lincoln's OK

I hope it doesn't sound too presumptuous.