GMA: Gore’s ‘Incredibly Gracious’ Concession Was a ‘Real Act of Patriotism,’ Brought 'Country Back Together'

October 21st, 2016 11:56 AM

In a mind blowing segment Friday morning on ABC's Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos, Jon Karl and Michael Strahan actually tried to rewrite the historic 2000 election and hoped no one would remember how events actually occurred. Using the opportunity to bash Trump’s comments on conceding the election, the panel laughably contrasted Trump’s behavior with the “incredibly gracious” and “patriotic” Al Gore in 2000.   

While the chyron read, “Trump doubles down on election stance. Is the lack of civility hurting our democracy?” the three discussed how it was “important” and “critical” for the losing candidate to concede the election “graciously” to “bring the country back together.” And apparently, recount- demanding, race-baiting Al Gore was the perfect example of that.

MICHAEL STRAHAN: Another tough campaign, 2000, Al Gore and George W. Bush and Al Gore made a gracious concession speech. Let's take a listen.

AL GORE: I say to president-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must be put aside and may God bless his stewardship of this country.

STRAHAN: Now, Jon, how important is a speech like that or this speech in bringing the country back together again?

KARL: I'll never forget that one. That was in December after the long recount after the Supreme Court put an end to the recount, everybody wondered how Gore would handle it. That was the best speech of that entire campaign for Al Gore. Incredibly gracious the country really needed it. I remember vividly out in front of vice presidential residence there were protesters who had been chanting day after day get out of Dick Cheney's house, after Gore gave that speech, they started chanting, ‘Thank you, Al Gore.’ It was absolutely critical to bringing the country back to after that very bitter campaign and even more bitter recount.

“Wow,” Strahan responded. If Karl’s and Strahan’s “incredibly gracious” toast to Gore wasn’t bad enough, George Stephanopoulos then gushed. Yeah, that was really something. And a real act of patriotism by Al Gore at that time,” to which the rest of the panel agreed.