Clinton offers to work with Trump, wishes him success
CLINTON. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, accompanied by her husband former President Bill Clinton, takes the stage to concede the presidential election at the New Yorker Hotel on November 9, 2016 in New York City. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) – Hillary Clinton, in her concession speech on Wednesday, November 9 (November 10, Manila time), wished Donald Trump success as the president-elect of the United States.
Clinton offered to work with Trump in the nation-building process. "Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country," the defeated candidate told supporters, holding back tears in her first public remarks since the Republican's victory.
"I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans."
Clinton also admitted the election showed the US was "more deeply divided than we thought." However, she added, "We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead."
Clinton suffered a stunning loss against her Republican rival Trump, with Trump earlier giving a conciliatory acceptance speech praising Clinton and promising to be a "president for all Americans."
WAVING TO THE CROWD. US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton waves after making concession speech following her defeat to Republican president-elect Donald Trump, as former president Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea look on in New York on November 9, 2016. Photo by Jewel Samad/ AFP
"This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for and I'm sorry that we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country," she said.
"This is painful, and it will be for a long time, but I want you to remember this: our campaign was never about one person or even one election."
The constitutional democracy, Clinton added, "enshrines the peaceful transfer of power, and we don't just respect that, we cherish it."
"It enshrines other things too," she said.
Taking a slight jab at Trump, Clinton went on to explain: "The rule of law, the principle that we are all equal in rights and dignity, freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values, too, and we must defend them."
US president Barack Obama, meanwhile, vowed to ensure a smooth transition for Trump at a speech at the Rose Garden of the White House.
Said Obama, "We are Americans first. We're patriots first. We all want what's best for this country." – with reports from the Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com
