US poll fallout: My pain losing to Trump– Clinton

Losing candidate at last week’s US presidential election, Hillary Clinton, yesterday laid bare her disappointment in a first public appearance since she lost her bid for the White House.

The Democratic candidate said she had wanted to curl up with a good book and never leave the house again.

But in a speech at a children’s charity she urged the audience to fight for American values and never give up.

Clinton won the popular vote but was beaten to the presidency in the all-important US Electoral College.

“Now I will admit coming here wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” she said as she was honoured by the Children’s Defense Fund.

“I know many of you are deeply disappointed about the results of the election. I am, too, more than I can ever express.

“I know this isn’t easy. I know that over the past week a lot of people have asked themselves whether America is the country we thought it was.”

There was little ceremony and no sign of security for the former presidential candidate who is known simply as “Hillary” in this circle of friends.

The audience were on their feet and chanting her name as she took to the podium. When she talked about her disappointment, murmurs of agreement spread through the room in waves.

That murmur grew louder as she urged those listening not to lose heart, as an emotional plea for action.

“The divisions laid bare by this election run deep, but please listen to me when I say this,” she added.

In her concession speech after losing the election, Clinton said rival Trump must be given the chance to lead.

Since then she has kept a low profile, although she was spotted while out walking.

In a phone call leaked to US media she also blamed her loss on FBI Director James Comey, who announced a new inquiry into her use of a private email server in the run up to the vote.