Inside America

I admire the unique ability of the American people to always move on, whatever the circumstances. And I admire John McCain’s concession speech. After a year of mostly negative campaign, I was amazed hearing the defeated candidate – in an heartfelt speech – urge all Americans to support the new president of the United States – once called an “un-American, terrorist-tied socialist”. Alakazam! Forget about the bad words. It’s not a game anymore, let’s move on! Seriously my friends: we have a country to put back on track!

By contrast I can’t remember a French defeated candidate not seeking revenge, from the very minute he realizes that he lost an election. “The fight continues!”, “I’ll be back!” and “Stay tuned on my political show!” are the underlying messages of any concession speech in my country.

Bottom line, guess which president gets the wider consensus to keep the country moving? The French or the American? “Status quo” is the French word for “compromise” and “consensus” in politics.

I wish the French politicians could one day also put their “country first” and “concede” an election, for the sake of democracy. Unfortunately, the French well-accepted concession rhetoric does not help. Have a look at the video below: a French concession speech sounds very much like a French victory speech!