This letter from George Bush to Bill Clinton shows Trump what class really is

Donald Trump has continued his one-man wrecking ball of a campaign with his latest refusal to confirm that he would accept defeat, if next month's election result goes against him.

It's something that has horrified political commentators, with the peaceful transition of power one of the key components of a healthy, functioning democracy. The absence of this can only lead to the kind of autocratic regimes we see elsewhere in the world.

So it's an apposite time to remember this letter, written to the incoming President Bill Clinton, as he entered office on 20 January 1993 with the world a far from stable place.

It came from the pen of his predecessor, and member of the opposing Republican party, George H W Bush, who had been defeated after one term in office.

It's a rather touching missive, which went viral on Twitter earlier this year after being posted by student James Cameron, which pledges his full support to his new President and offers some wise words of advice to someone who probably appreciated them very much. The letter is kept at the George H W Bush library in Texas.

Will outgoing President Barack Obama be forced to draft something similar for his replacement President Trump? We shall soon see.

The full text reads:

Dear Bill,

When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.

I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.

There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I'm not a very good one to give advice; but just don't let the critics discourage you or push you off course.

You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.

Your success now is our country's success. I am rooting hard for you.

Good luck,
George