Hillary apologised to Obama after loss
Washington, April 19: Hillary Clinton apologised to the then President Barack Obama shortly after conceding defeat to Donald Trump on election night, according to a new book.
“Mr President, I’m sorry,” Ms Clinton told Mr Obama over phone as her unexpected election loss became a reality, according to a Washington Post review of the book Shattered which is about the Democratic presidential candidate’s failed 2016 campaign.
The book Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign reveals how in a flurry of calls the White House urged Ms Clinton to concede defeat.
“You’re going to come up short,” Steve Schale, the best vote-counter the Democrats had in Florida, told campaign officials.
The call with Mr Schale marked the beginning of a riveting account of the final, dreadful hours of Ms Clinton’s long pursuit of the presidency, as told by reporters Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes in their insidery new book.
First came a call from White House political director David Simas to Ms Clinton’s campaign manager, Robby Mook. “POTUS (President of the United States) doesn’t think it’s wise to drag this out.” But as Clinton was dragging it out, she got a call from Obama. “You need to concede,” he urged.
At last, Ms Clinton said, “Give me the phone.” And then the first woman who was going to be President called her rival and said two words she never expected to say, “Congratulations, Donald.”
Moments later, Mr Obama was back on the phone, this time making a consolation call. “Mr. President,” she said softly. “I’m sorry.” — PTI