I understand the harsh feelings and sentiments from my opponents and their supporters because I myself have been defeated twice in my political life in the past and I understand very well it is hard to accept your own failure.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Any time you have a competitive situation like politics is, there are winners, and there are people who don't win, and their supporters can sometimes be very emotional.
As a politician, you have to deal with someone wanting you to fail every day. I think I prefer being in a situation where generally people are rooting for me, and if they aren't rooting for me, they aren't out there to see my downfall. I respect the people who have the stomach for it.
A hatred of failure has always been part of my nature.
I teach students that what people say about failure in politics is mostly wrong. People always told me, 'They'll praise you on your way up and kick you on your way down.' That wasn't my experience. I can't walk down the street in Toronto without someone coming up and saying hello.
I'm such a failed politician that all of my rivals have disappeared, on both sides.
I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as a party you do have to face up to some painful facts and you do have to change.
The struggle goes on. The victory is in the struggle, for me. And I accepted that a long time ago.
The election result is not a victory that belongs to me or my party.
Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.
I've accepted that I was a failure in politics. I was not qualified for the job.