A. R. Harruna Attah Writes On
10 November 2008
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The former American fighter pilot lost the election. His was a good fight, but the American people decided it was the younger man with no war experience they preferred.
It was the most expensive and drawn out election in US history but at the end of it all, though nerves were frayed, passions aroused, political enmities intensified, the campaign ended in a winner and loser in peace and non-violence.
Winner and loser were both magnanimous in their acceptance and concession speeches and America lived to fight another election in 4 years time.
Yes, Mr. Obama's acceptance brought the tears to many eyes, but it was McCain's concession that earned the respect of many. Mr. McCain did not win the election but he won several points for democracy. Many have said if he had adopted that kind of language on the campaign trail, he probably would have attracted more voters, but that is now history...
His gift to us here in Ghana is this: That, elections have to be won or lost. If you happen to be on the losing side, it does not mean the world stops there.
The world moves on. You may even have been cheated or feel cheated in the process, but you do not use your sense of disappointment to cause more harm and hurt innocent people in a "resistance" that ends in violence.
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