Abrams Must Accept Defeat in Order to Win [OPINION]

Stacey Abrams, the Democrat who lost the 2018 Georgia governor's race to Republican Brian Kemp, is still refusing to concede. Kemp beat Abrams by more than 50,000 votes, 50.2 percent to 48.8 percent.

Abrams told students at Vanderbilt University this week, “I don’t concede that I lost. I acknowledge that I’m not the governor of Georgia. That’s made plain every day I don’t walk into the Governor’s Mansion.”

Abrams blames "voter suppression tactics" on the part of the Kemp campaign for her loss but has yet to offer any evidence. While she refuses to concede she indicated that she is getting over it.

"I'm still sad, still angry, but I'm less bitter than I was. That has to be channeled into action, and that's what I'm trying to do," she said.

Sore losing has become a thing with some these days. America is paying a steep price because Democrats and even some "never-Trump" Republicans can't deal with the fact that Trump won in 2016.

Abrams is not through yet. There are indications she could launch a bid for the U.S. Senate or even the White House in 2020. There are multiple reports that likely Democrat presidential contender Joe Biden might like to have Abrams as his running mate, should he snare the nomination.

Losing is part of politics. It's part of life. Losing is painful. Many politicians have come back to win after losing. In order to recover and move on, you have to accept that you lost and examine why you lost. Accusing others of cheating or causing you to lose is detrimental to that process.

Stacey Abrams has to accept that the voters rejected her and that she lost the race. If she cannot graciously accept defeat and learn from it, she can never truly win.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.