Friend --
Thank you.
Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on
behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president
for all Americans.
This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for, and I’m
sorry we did not win this election for the values we share and the
vision we hold for our country.
But I feel pride and gratitude for this wonderful campaign that we built
together –- this vast, diverse, creative, unruly, energized campaign.
You represent the best of America, and being your candidate has been one
of the greatest honors of my life.
I know how disappointed you feel, because I feel it too. And so do tens
of millions of Americans who invested their hopes and dreams in this
effort. This is painful, and it will be for a long time. But I want you
to remember this: Our campaign was never about one person or even one
election. It was about the country we love -- and about building an
America that’s hopeful, inclusive, and big-hearted.
We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought. But
I still believe in America –- and I always will. And if you do, too,
then we must accept this result -– and then look to the future.
Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.
Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power,
and we don’t just respect that, we cherish it. It also enshrines other
things –- the rule of law, the principle that we’re all equal in rights
and dignity, and the freedom of worship and expression. We respect and
cherish these things too -- and we must defend them.
And let me add: Our constitutional democracy demands our participation,
not just every four years, but all the time. So let’s do all we can to
keep advancing the causes and values we all hold dear: making our
economy work for everyone, not just those at the top; protecting our
country and protecting our planet; and breaking down all the barriers
that hold anyone back from achieving their dreams.
We’ve spent a year and a half bringing together millions of people from
every corner of our country to say with one voice that we believe that
the American Dream is big enough for everyone -- for people of all races
and religions, for men and women, for immigrants, for LGBT people, and
people with disabilities.
Our responsibility as citizens is to keep doing our part to build that
better, stronger, fairer America we seek. And I know you will.
I am so grateful to stand with all of you.
I want to thank Tim Kaine and Anne Holton for being our partners on this
journey. It gives me great hope and comfort to know that Tim will
remain on the front-lines of our democracy, representing Virginia in the
Senate.
To Barack and Michelle Obama: Our country owes you an enormous debt of
gratitude for your graceful, determined leadership, and so do I.
To Bill, Chelsea, Marc, Charlotte, Aidan, our brothers, and our entire
family, my love for you means more than I can ever express.
You crisscrossed this country on my behalf and lifted me up when I
needed it most –- even four-month old Aidan traveling with his mom.
I will always be grateful to the creative, talented, dedicated men and
women at our headquarters in Brooklyn and across our country who poured
their hearts into this campaign. For you veterans, this was a campaign
after a campaign -- for some of you, this was your first campaign ever. I
want each of you to know that you were the best campaign anyone has
had.
To all the volunteers, community leaders, activists, and union
organizers who knocked on doors, talked to neighbors, posted on Facebook
- even in secret or in private: Thank you.
To everyone who sent in contributions as small as $5 and kept us going, thank you.
And to all the young people in particular, I want you to hear this. I’ve
spent my entire adult life fighting for what I believe in. I’ve had
successes and I’ve had setbacks -– sometimes really painful ones. Many
of you are at the beginning of your careers. You will have successes and
setbacks, too.
This loss hurts. But please, please never stop believing that fighting
for what’s right is worth it. It’s always worth it. And we need you keep
up these fights now and for the rest of your lives.
To all the women, and especially the young women, who put their faith in
this campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me
prouder than to be your champion.
I know that we still have not shattered that highest glass ceiling. But
some day someone will -– hopefully sooner than we might think right now.
And to all the little girls watching right now, never doubt that you are
valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in
the world.
Finally, I am grateful to our country for all it has given me.
I count my blessings every day that I am an American. And I still
believe, as deeply as I ever have, that if we stand together and work
together, with respect for our differences, strength in our convictions,
and love for this nation -– our best days are still ahead of us.
You know I believe we are stronger together and will go forward
together. And you should never be sorry that you fought for that.
Scripture tells us: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.”
My friends, let us have faith in each other. Let us not grow weary. Let
us not lose heart. For there are more seasons to come and there is more
work to do.
I am incredibly honored and grateful to have had this chance to
represent all of you in this consequential election. May God bless you
and god bless the United States of America.
Hillary
