Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain delivered a gracious concession speech on November 4, 2008, shortly after news organizations had announced Senator Barack Obama’s election as the 44th President and the first African-American president in U.S. history.

On stage with him, were McCain’s wife, Cindy, his VP running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd Palin joined McCain  at the rally of several at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

As he began his speech, McCain had to quelling the booing and other reactions of shock, dismay and anger from supporters who had gathered for the rally held in Phoenix, Arizona.  The booing, and a few shouted expletives began as soon as McCain began his speech, mentioning that he had called Obama to congratulate him on his victory.

The speech was supposed to be an invite-only capper to McCain’s triumphant night at the Biltmore, but as election results began to pour in, the outlook changed, and by 9 p.m., the lawn was opened to everyone attending the Election Night rally. As supporters poured out of the nearby Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom — where they had been entertained throughout the night by acts like Hank Williams Jr. and the Phoenix Boys Choir — to make the trek to the lawn, most were inconsolable, some even in tears.

And though the mood on the lawn was sometimes sad and often angry — McCain’s speech was interrupted by calls to “see Obama’s birth certificate” on two occasions — some of his supporters seemed to recognize that, like their candidate, they had taken part in a historic election. And even if they came out on the losing end, they’ll always have that feeling. Plus, with midterm elections just two years away, there’s only so much time you can spend feeling sorry for yourselves.

Source: John McCain Praises Barack Obama For ‘Historic’ Victory During Concession Speech

Rising above the occasion and showing grace and nobility, he acknowledged Obama’s historic achievement while calling for supporters to rally around and support the new President in the challenges the nation faces.  Speaking of the long, difficult campaign, McCain said, “his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.  This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.

 Sarah Palin with her husband Todd Palin

“I’ve always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation’s reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.

He went on to put the election in its context by evoking little known history.  “A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt’s invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit — to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters,” McCain said. “America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States.”

McCain also acknowledged his running mate, Sarah Palin, with praise.

“We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.”

After a campaign that grew negative at times, most recently with Republican attacks on Obama’s ties to a 1960s radical, McCain emphasized common ground between the two men.

“Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans, and please believe me when I say no association has meant more to me than that.”

Source: McCain vows to help Obama

See also: Transcript: John McCain Concession Speech

Photo credit: Getty Images North America

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Video & Photos: John McCain Concession Speech 11-04-08