With that definite statement -- the unstated subtext of which was that the campaign had minutely examined the incomplete electoral equations -- Kerry sought to dowse the angst among the Democratic faithful, to cure the bitter hangover of Florida 2000.

The Kerry concession speech, shortly before 2 pm, before an audience of cheering supporters at the Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, was a strange beast -- a mix of combative and gracious, with its appeal for reconciliation oddly juxtaposed with the vow to continue the fight.

"I spoke to President Bush and offered him and Laura our congratulations," Kerry said. "It was a good conversation. We spoke of the danger of disunity and the desperate need for coming together. I hope today, we can begin the healing."

Emotion, barely restrained till then, welled up when, after stating that his campaign was now sure it could not win the race, Kerry said "It was a privilege and a gift, to spend two years traveling across this country and meeting so many of you… I wish I could wrap you in my arms and embrace each one of you individually. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

The sustained applause at that point was, for Kerry, a godsend -- it gave him the opportunity to regain his composure.

Kerry then thanked John Edwards who, he said, had over the course of the campaign become a good friend; he thanked his wife and his sons and daughters and the family of Edwards.

"I want to thank my crewmates and friends from 35 years ago, that band of brothers who crisscrossed this country on my behalf," Kerry said, paying tribute to the Vietnam vets who had helped him absorb the impact of the Swift Boat Veterans ad blitz that sought to undercut his war record in August.

Still hitting emotional high notes, Kerry spoke of the volunteers who had worked tirelessly, the ordinary people who had looked to contribute to the effort. People like "William Field, a six year old who collected 680 dollars a dollar at a time, selling bracelets, to help change America. Thanks also to Michael Benson from Florida, who I spied in a ropeline holding a bucket of money, he had raided his piggy bank and wanted to contribute."

"They worked their hears out and I wish I could have brought this race home for them and for you. And I say to them, don't lose heart, what you did make a difference, and we will build on that. The time will come, the election will come, when your votes, your ballots, will change the world, and it is worth fighting for."

"In this journey you have given me the honour and gift of listening and learning form you. I have heard your stories, I know your hopes, they are part of me now. I will never forget you and I will never stop fighting for you," Kerry said -- and by this point on, he had visibly moved away from the saddened candidate standing amidst the ruins of his hopes, to a man aware that the next election, the next chance, is just four years away.

"You may not understand completely in what ways, but it is true when I say you have taught me and tested me and lifted me and made me stronger."

"In an American election there are no losers. Whether or not our candidates are successful, the next morning we all wake up as Americans," Kerry said, before closing with a prayer that, he said, had acquired new meaning for him.

"That prayer is simple – God bless America."

If Kerry's speech oscillated between emotionalism and pragmatism, Senator John Edwards while introducing Kerry earlier, had a clear message -- in 2008, he will be back, fighting for the Democratic nomination for the next Presidential race. He did not say that in as many words -- but it was implicit in the combative tone of his short, sharp, crisp, speech.

Notably, Edwards made no mention of the outcome, he did not directly concede defeat."It was a long night and a long morning and even though the outcome wont change, I want you to know we will continue to fight for every vote because every vote mattes in America," he opened.

And from there, he upped his tone and tempo. "We believe in you. We did not start fighting for you when this campaign began and we will not stop fighting for you when this campaign ends. Your cause will be our cause," he said, before segueing into the ritual thanks to his wife and family and to John Kerry, his wife and children. That done, he immediately switched back to combative mode.

"To be a part of the most important election of our life time and to fight for so many things of honor and consequence was a great honour. In this campaign we worked hard and we hoped results would be different."

I want, Edwards said, to now speak to those tens of millions who backed the Democratic ticket. "You can be disappointed but you cannot walk away. This fight has just begun. Together we will carry on and we will be with you very step of the way." The battle, he said, would continue in homes and churches and union halls and over the internet. He had, he said, learnt two lessons. One, that there will always be heartache and struggle, and two, that people of goodwill can always make a difference. "One lesson is sad, the other inspiring; we are Americans, so we chose to be inspired." And with that, Edwards turned the floor over to Kerry, for the penultimate act of the Presidential election cycle of 2004.