Patrick Leahy: “I appreciate what the Democratic leader has said. I was willing to step aside earlier when I had the floor because I…”

“I appreciate what the Democratic leader has said. I was willing to step aside earlier when I had the floor because I understood the two leaders were coming to speak. It was a matter of courtesy to them, and I know the Democratic leader, at least, appreciated that. Let me agree with what he said. You know, when I came here, the President of the United States was an unelected President, and there was an unelected Vice President. It was Jerry Ford. And then, under the change in our law since President Kennedy's death, he was able to pick an unelected Vice President. I remember Democrats and Republicans alike welcoming him and saying: Let's go forward. I have been here with each President--some reelected, some not--and, in every instance, I see the outgoing President welcoming the incoming President, Republican or Democrat, and they have done it to try to make as smooth a transition not for their own political purposes but for the good of the United States of America. Everyone has done that. I think it was George H.W. Bush welcoming Bill Clinton, who defeated him. I remember Al Gore had more votes than George W. Bush, but after the Court had ruled, he graciously conceded to George W. Bush. I remember Hillary Clinton, with well over 2 million more votes than Donald Trump, but saying that here is what the electoral college is and conceded.…”