Retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said Sunday that Democrat Al Gore is a good example of conceding a loss in a presidential bid, stating “when it’s over, it needs to be over.”
In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet The Press,” Alexander said the election process will end Monday, when the Electoral College casts their votes for president.
“It's not unprecedented to contest an election,” he noted. “Al Gore took 37 days to contest before he finally conceded and then he made the best speech of his life, respecting the result, which is what I hope the president will do when the electors vote for Joe Biden Monday, when it's apparent they will,” Alexander said.
“I think it's fair to allow candidates to contest elections if they want to, if they have evidence. But when it's over, it needs to be over,” he added.
Alexander said despite rancor in Congress, it still is able to get things done.
“Washington is split-screen television,” he said. “On one side you see confirmation hearings and tweets. Open the other side if people would look, they would see Democrats and Republicans working together to create a vaccine, to pass the most important outdoor recreation environmental law in 50 years, to permanently fund Black colleges, to move medical miracles into doctor's offices more quickly, ‘No Child Left Behind’ that affects 50 million children. All of that happened.
“It doesn't make the same kinds of news as fights do on the screen but it's happening.”
According to Alexander, President Donald Trump will be a force in the party and nation “as long as he wants to.”
“I would never bet against him,” he said. “I think he will be a force in our party and in our country for as long as he wants to be. He's number one, been president of the United States. He's gotten a lot of votes from a lot of people, and he’s master [of] the communications network… that influences our internet democracy the way no one else has. If he wants to be a factor, he will be…. He's president. He has lots to say. If he wants to be a factor, he can be.”
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