Hard to imagine Trump doing a Gore

Dana Millbank writes:

Some are comforted to know this election ends in 95 days. But a Trump loss in November — which seems increasingly likely — could be only slightly less destructive than a Trump victory. At best, his followers would regard the Clinton administration as illegitimate from Day One and use whatever legal means they can to prevent government from functioning. At worst, they will conclude that their white-male dominated America is lost forever — and take extra-legal measures to protect themselves.

Americans take for granted peaceful transfers of power. But if the losing side declares the government illegitimate and talks of bloodbaths, something else could occur.

Sixteen years ago, after the contentious 2000 recount, Al Gore gave a gracious concession speech that invoked Stephen Douglas’s words to Abraham Lincoln: “Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I’m with you, Mr. President, and God bless you.”

“This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done,” Gore said. “We will stand together behind our new president.”

Can anybody imagine Trump saying those words after a Hillary Clinton victory?

No. I am no Gore fan, but his concession after the Supreme Court decision was the act of a patriot that put the country first.

Could one imagine Trump conceding if he had won the popular vote and the electoral college count came down to court rulings? He never would.

Even if Clinton wins by ten million votes and 150 electoral college votes, it is hard to imagine him conceding that he lost fair and square. He would claim the election was rigged.