The day after Barack Obama won the US presidential election, a man who had covered his building with "Veterans for McCain" signs put up another sign.
It read: "The nation has voted. Not my choice but now My President.
Kenneth Blackwell, a Republican-supporting commentator, wrote "Republicans will honor President Obama's office ...The nation has one president at a time, and it's his time to lead."
Such sentiments are necessary in a democracy where losing parties accept the verdict of the electorate and respect the institutions of power for the good of the country.
It does not mean, however, that political parties give up their core principles just because they are in opposition rather than in government.
The concept of a loyal opposition means that non-governing parties can oppose government policies while maintaining loyalty to the source of the government's power.