<P> In the broadcast age, the concession speech of a candidate for high office reaches a wide audience and is seen as the final swan song of a lost campaign . Out of courtesy, the winner of the campaign usually waits for a concession speech, if one is forthcoming, before delivering the acceptance speech . </P> <P> A losing candidate usually thanks their supporters for their valiant efforts and points to the non-electoral successes of the campaign in building party strength and raising issues to attention that would not otherwise be in public discussion . It is also traditional, unless the campaign has been exceptionally bitter, to congratulate and wish well the winning candidate, perhaps even offering a parting word of advice . </P> <P> The first "concession telegram" occurred when William Jennings Bryan sent William McKinley two days after the 1896 US presidential election . Prior to that election results took many days and thus candidates maintained an air of detachment from the process . </P>

When was the last time a presidential candidate did not personally give a concession speech