Good morning. It's Friday, the day of the week when I share a quote meant to be informative or enlightening. Today's words to remember come from several politicians who were elevated on this date to the highest office in the land.
America's tradition of holding elections on the first Tuesday in November means that some important elections took place on this day in history, November 3, accompanied by a few memorable election-related quotations.
As promised, here are some of my favorite Nov. 3 presidential proclamations, lines that humanize our commanders in chief, and lesser pols as well.
Nov. 3, 1948: "We'd better go back to Kansas City, it looks as if I'm elected." -- President Harry Truman in the pre-dawn hours to members of his Secret Service detail, who stayed up all night listening to the returns on the radio in an election most experts expected him to lose. Truman made this matter-of-fact remark after eating a sandwich, chased by a glass of buttermilk, taking a bath, and going to bed early on Election Night in the resort of Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Nov. 3, 1976: "I want to congratulate the toughest and most formidable opponent that anyone could ever have, President Gerald Ford. As I've said many times, throughout this nation, he's a good and decent man … and I pray that I can live up to your confidence and never disappoint you." -- Jimmy Carter, in Atlanta, after being proclaimed the winner, about the man who would later become his close friend.
Nov. 3, 1992: "I plan to get very active in the grandchild business and in finding ways to help others. But I urge you, the young people of this country, to participate in the political process. It needs your idealism. It needs your drive. It needs your conviction." -- President George H.W. Bush, after losing his reelection bid to Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton.
Nov. 3, 2010: "After what I'm sure was a long night for a lot of you -- and, needless to say, it was for me -- I can tell you that some election nights are more fun than others. Some are exhilarating; some are humbling." -- President Barack Obama, at a press conference following the midterm elections that gave Republicans control of the House of Representatives.
My favorite concession speech quote was uttered in 1966. The line was so good it was appropriated 10 years later by Morris K. Udall after the legendary Arizona Democrat felt short in the 1976 primaries against Jimmy Carter.
The pithy quip Udall borrowed came from famed political prankster Dick Tuck. After losing his only campaign, a 1966 California state Senate race, Tuck deadpanned, "The people have spoken -- the bastards."
Tens of millions of Americans will feel that way next November, I fear. But for now, that is our quote of the week.
Carl M. Cannon is the Washington bureau chief for RealClearPolitics. Reach him on Twitter @CarlCannon
