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Subscribe to RSSGeorge McGovern, who ran for president in 1972 against Nixon, was an inspiration to anti-war liberals. McGovern, who was a bomber pilot during World War II, focused his later life on issues of hunger. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Updated at 12:36 p.m. ET: George McGovern, the unabashedly liberal Democratic senator whose outsider campaign against President Richard Nixon led to a landslide defeat and the eventual reformation of the Democratic Party as a more centrist organization, died early Sunday, his family said in a statement. He was 90 years old.
McGovern died at a hospice in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he had been admitted Monday.
Steve Hildebrand, a spokesman for the family, said in a statement to NBC News: "At approximately 5:15 am CT [6: 15 a.m. ET] this morning, our wonderful father, George McGovern, passed away peacefully at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by our family and life-long friends.
"We are blessed to know that our father lived a long, successful and productive life advocating for the hungry, being a progressive voice for millions and fighting for peace.
"He continued giving speeches, writing and advising all the way up to and past his 90th birthday, which he celebrated this summer."
Senior Democrats praised McGovern on Sunday as a visionary whose political sacrifices opened up the party to women and minority groups.
Although McGovern was ridiculed for many years for having led the Democrats to an overwhelming defeat against Nixon, former Sen. Gary Hart of Colorado, his 1972 campaign manager, argued Sunday that McGovern "helped save the Democratic Party."
In 1968, McGovern headed a committee that reformed the party's nominating process. In a column for Politico remembering McGovern on Sunday, Hart wrote:
Those rules were designed to open party participation, especially in nominating candidates, to women, minorities, and young people. The reforms succeeded and the Democratic Party opened itself up to democratic participation. The control of power-brokers and party bosses was broken. Decrepit political machines largely collapsed. ... We will never know the nature of a McGovern presidency. But someday the American Democratic Party will find a way to honor him as it should.
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President Barack Obama called McGovern "a statesman of great conscience and conviction," saying in a statement that "this hero of war became a champion for peace. And after his career in Congress, he became a leading voice in the fight against hunger."
Among the most prominent Democrats to get their political starts on McGovern's insurgent 1972 campaign were former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. In a statement Sunday, they lamented the passing of a "friend" and a "tireless advocate for human rights and dignity":
We first met George while campaigning for him in 1972. Our friendship endured for 40 years. As a war hero, distinguished professor, Congressman, Senator and Ambassador, George always worked to advance the common good and help others realize their potential. Of all his passions, he was most committed to feeding the hungry, at home and around the world. The programs he created helped feed millions of people, including food stamps in the 1960s and the international school feeding program in the 90's, both of which he co-sponsored with Senator Bob Dole.
In 2000, Bill had the honor of awarding him the Medal of Freedom. From his earliest days in Mitchell to his final days in Sioux Falls, he never stopped standing up and speaking out for the causes he believed in. We must continue to draw inspiration from his example and build the world he fought for. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Ed Widdis / AP
The life of former Democratic Sen. George McGovern, who lost the 1972 presidential election to Richard Nixon and gained fame throughout his career for his devotion to fighting hunger and opposing war.
George Stanley McGovern was bomber pilot who flew 35 combat missions in World War II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He became a history and political science professor after the war and was elected to Congress in 1958. He won the first of three Senate terms in 1962.
McGovern became an early critic of the Vietnam War and a leader of the Democrats' liberal wing, propelling him to a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968 as an anti-war candidate.
Four years later, McGovern emerged at the top of the heap after a fractious campaign that divided the party between his corps of young, idealistic supporters and the more establishment organization of Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine, who was the losing vice presidential candidate on the ticket with Hubert Humphrey in 1968.
McGovern lost to Nixon in one of the biggest landslides in history, winning only Massachusetts and the District of Columbia — Nixon even won McGovern's own state, South Dakota.
Many factors contributed to McGovern's defeat: the dirty tricks of the Nixon campaign, which soon exploded into the Watergate scandal that led to Nixon's resignation in 1974; unresolved differences with key Democratic leaders after the bitter campaign, including Humphrey and Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts; and the successful tarring of McGovern as a far-left fringe candidate by Republicans, which was summed up most succinctly in Vice President Spiro Agnew's dismissal of McGovern as the candidate of "amnesty, abortion and acid."
Particularly damaging was McGovern's failure to win the endorsement of organized labor, despite his strong pro-labor voting record. McGovern publicly feuded with AFL-CIO President George Meany, who strongly supported the war in Vietnam.
But the biggest blow probably was the Democrats' mishandling of the selection of Sen.. Thomas Eagleton of Missouri as their vice presidential nominee. In a 1986 interview on C-SPAN, McGovern said that party leaders were divided among several higher-profile possibilities, including Kennedy, and that he eventually settled on Eagleton because he was "everybody's second choice."
Within two weeks, it became public that Eagleton suffered from severe depression, having been hospitalized several times and, on at least one occasion, having undergone electroshock therapy. By Juy 31, 1972 — less than three weeks after he had been nominated, Eagleton witrhdrew and was replaced by Sargent Shriver, former director of the Peace Corps and a member of Nixon's administration as ambassador to France.
Nixon walked to victory, collecting 520 electoral votes to McGovern's 17.
He returned to the Senate, only to be defeated by Republican James Abdnor in the 1980 Reagan landslide. But over time, his reputation was rehabilitated, and he made a creditable showing — finishing fifth — in the 1984 Democratic presidential primaries, in which he ran as a peace candidate.
Through the years, McGovern insisted that his biggest mistake hadn't been taking such liberal stances — it was not having stuck to his liberal beliefs fiercely enough.
"If anything, I don't think the Democrats have been strong enough in clinging to their principle," he said in a 2011 interview with the Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls, S.D.
"You can say they were too ideological. Well, I don't think you hold political convictions just to be able to spout out a complicated philosophy or ideology. You try to support what you think is in the best interests of the country. My qualms with the Democrats in recent decades is they aren't strong enough in dissenting from policies that they should be able to see are against our best interest."
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"Saved the Democratic Party?" The Party has become a haven for the whacked out America haters, the anti-military types and the extreme socialists that can't find a home or forum anywhere else. Describing the Party as a "centrist party" is like calling Stalin a liberal.
"Lost the election because of Nixon's dirty tricks?" Really? It takes more than dirty tricks to lose 49 states in the biggest landslide in American Presidential elections up to that point in our history. Just look at who his campaign manager was.
To paraphrase a quote from another great American, McGovern was relegated to the dust heap of history after 1972. Even his own state recognized him for the fraud that he was when they dumped him the 1980 elections.
He earns my respect only as a fellow veteran who, like myself, showed up and defended his country in her time of need....unlike many who voted for him in 1972.
Boozer and 69er
You guys ought to know about haters alright. It is about the only thing you do as far as I can tell. Now you want to sell out the country to the right wing corporate interests. Yeah, you are real concerned about what happens to the working class. The fact that Romney supported sending troups to Nam and evaded the draft by going to France should make you especially proud. At least McGovern stood on his convictions even though many did not agree with him and which, in hind sight, were the correct ones. My husband did not draft dodge, nor did his brother and both do not appreciate rich spoiled sons of the wealthy support sending troups to die and not being willing to go themesleves. They are scum and that is what Romney is, scum.
To..Jennifer """"
It's almost cute their propensity for projection
that's if it wasn't so obvious
It would appear to be the right that hates America. Whining about 1st Amendment rights, but only if THEY get them. Anybody else hates America. Think about the hypocrisy involved. Socialism? Seriously? Can't you people try a reality-based argument for once? Nah, probably not.
And it is the left that hates the military? Seriously? The right PRETENDS to "love" the military, so they can use it to line their pockets. When the vets return from all these wars the right likes to start, that same right wing craps all over them. As a veteran, I am sick and tired of the liars on the right that spew this unfounded crap over and over again.
@Left Wing
I so agree with you. They treat Vets like they do un-aborted babies. When Vets come home they don't care about them and when those babies are born they don't care about them either.
Am I the only one that see's a pattern here?
You mean like you lefties treated vets coming home from Vietnam?
Nice try at redirection, TheStar. Not. Protests were there, yes, but they were not LEGISLATED. What a clown.
Rest in peace, Senator (George) McGovern:(
Good riddance.
Hater with nothing to offer but hate. McGovern would have never been so ugly to you and would support you. You are sad.
@vinny
You are truly a scumbag. Why are you even here?
George isn't totally gone. He has many votes to cast for democrats in the upcoming election and probably for many years to come.
star, you're no better. What is wrong with you low life's? Are you completely devoid of decency?
Yes, the left is influencing me to embrace their method of operation.
star
Much like your candidate, not very original and no imagination. Just keep repeating the same lie and hope somebody believes you. Sorry dumb stick. Nobody cares what you say or think.
A defining trait of your extreme left is to accuse any opponent of the traits you exhibit yourself.
star
You prove my point. Isn't it time to go back to your cell convict? Kiss your bunk mate good night like a good Nazi.
Is this what you do on your day off from your abortion clinic?
Do not feed the trolls...
Nixon 49, America one. Massachusetts was the only state Nixon did not win.
And that worked out pretty well, didn't it? The only person to EVER resign from office. If Ford hadn't given him a pass, he probably would have been the first to spend his "retirement" in prison as well. I have no idea why the right is so proud of Nixon's landslide victory...
He was just another left wing idiot. Good riddance
JC-284199
Shame on you.
Shows what a low life you are.
Yes the destructive legacy of the left is more than any sane person would want to accomplish.
Mcgoverns 72 Campaign was chronicled by Hunter S. Thompson in the great book Fear and Loathing on the Campaign trail '72
They don't make them like Senator McGovern anymore.
Job well done sir and now you can take your rest.
Condolences to the McGovern family and friends.
RIP Mr. McGovern
The thing is this man, George McGovern lost to someone who eventually had to defend himself stating "I am not a crook."
What does that tell you?
It tells me a couple of things... First, incumbents that are serving in a time of war typically retain their office (look it up). Oh, and that people can be pretty gullible, as evidenced by how close this race appears to be. Romney should be at least 10 points back, given that he can't keep his story straight from day to day and that his strongest argument against Obama presently is that Obama has no agenda for a second term (not true) while being unable to actually state any facts behind any of the "agenda" he himself proposes.
Hunter S. Thompson chronicled Mcgoverns 1972 campaign in the book Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72. He bet football w Nixon, but thought McGovern would have been the better president.
Nixon won in a landslide. He one every state but one. Does that seem to you that the
people thought he was the one?
The majority are usually wrong.
1 less commie on the planet is always a good thing.
Good riddance you old bastard!
Say Hi to Teddy at the BBQ.
Commie? Do you people have any desire to be taken seriously, or do you just like to post garbage that would get you thrown off of most boards. Comments like yours are reprehensible.
That was such a beautiful comment Intelligent Bald Head. It brought a tear to my eye.
You just joined TROLL. GO AWAY! You're ignorant and despicable. Where do they come up with you low life's?
I used to be a democrat. I'm not any more, so I'm no longer a low life.
Fake right wing giveaway: "I used to be a Democrat." That and the "I used to belong to the Democrat [sic] Party" are typically indicative of trolls at work.
It's true that I voted for that richard head McGovern. I've even voted for a couple of democrat senators and congressman. Never again.
Somehow, if a politician is against basic human rights, against basic human decency, against the freedom to do as one wishes, he's heralded by the right as a patriot. Whereas, the politician who wants to see the less fortunate progress, education and prosperity for all, he's vilified by the right as a socialist. Well, give me the so-called socialist any day over the so-called patriot.
I hope, someday, we will have another "George McGovern" to vote for. Hopefully, we won't make the mistake we did in 1972. BTW, I, too, voted for McGovern.
Ah yes, the '72 presidential election. Nixon vs. McGovern. A landslide for Nixon; 49 states for Nixon.
This election affirmed the people's rejection of the Liberals agenda. It was a horrible mistake for Kennedy
and Johnson to be elected in '60. Kennedy started Vietnam and Johnson escalated it. Johnson's race policies,
to give blacks special rights, has become a royal pain in the butt. It's too bad that the freed slaves were not
sent back to their wretched, fetid jungles from which they came. Of what use have blacks' been to our way
of life? And could America been better off without them, since their contribution to America has been almost
zip. We as a country would never have missed them; not for one minute.
Eisenhower started our "police action" in Viet Nam, but nice try at revisionism. But at least you have the fortitude, if one can call it that, to show what a racist you are. What a sad excuse for a human being, but I'm willing to bet you think you are a "patriot," right?
Eisenhower didn't send any troops to Vietnam. He only sent advisors to help the S.
Vietnamese. Kennedy started the actual war, and Johnson escalated it. As far as my racism
goes, or your unsubstantiated claim, I was just pointing out facts. Kennedy, by defeating Nixon
in '60, ushered in the most horrendous era in modern American history. Had the people known
what the agenda of the far left liberals was, I am sure that Nixon would have one in a landslide.
The blacks have contributed nothing to the USA. Their pathetic and very small contribution to
our wars has been almost unnoticed. In other words, they weren't needed. In fact I can't think
of any reason to have ever needing them for anything since the end of the Civil War.
Eisenhower didn't send any troops to Vietnam. He only sent advisors to help the
That's like saying Bin Lades sent advisers to the US on 9/11. when another government sends their troops into your nation they are not advisers - they are military troops.
They thought they were going to try and stop the commies from world domination.
@glad
What is wrong with you? Learn to READ and DO RESEARCH!
http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/causes.htm
I guess being ignorant is now the Hallmark of the idiot right.
I guess I'm a little confused...are you saying "They thought they were going to try and stop the commies from world domination" at the same time as you righties insist that those on the left are "commies"? Odd. You folks sound like Romney...just can't keep your stories straight. Or are you saying it was different because Eisenhower did it but he was a Republican (who wouldn't recognize his own party now) while Kennedy and Johnson were Democrats? Or are you just another confused racist?
It's nice to see the Nut Job and Pric get along so well.
Hey! Didn't he hate nig&ers? Great Democrate and a true follower of the KKK philosphy of democratic government!
Unfortunately, the Marxist Progressivism that he championed will not die with him.
you look at obama compared to mcgovern and you can see how empty and meanlingless the modern liberal philosophy is these days....obama couldn't carry McGovern's jockstrap...
Thank you for your service Sir.
I was in the fourth grade when McGovern ran for president. My mom took me to the Democrat headquarters in our town. The staff was so nice. They gave me a straw hat, plus buttons and leaflets to pass out during our school's mock election. Nixon won the election. That was the first of many election heartbreaks I would experience. Still, something about McGovern, the campaign and the eventual outcome of Nixon's presidency that made me understand the importance of my vote. Forty years later, I felt the same as I exited the polling place with my wife and daughter.
Rest in Peace.
Are you still in the fourth grade?
The world becomes a better place with the tragic loss of each far left extremist democrat when they are called home to hell.
McGovern came out against the war early, when doing so invited intense criticism. But he was right; we were pursuing a strategy to continue the war, not win it. I count myself as privileged to have worked in his 1972 campaign. He also lead an exemplary private life; faithful to the same woman for many years, never involved in any sex or money scandals.
Nixon ran on a platform of ending the war in Vietnam.
He did exactly that.
dump obama....
and end up with a total republican loser like romnuts... no thanks! :)
I wonder how many times George will be voting in the upcoming election?
The only ones committing fraud seems to be the Republican Party. Try to keep up short yellow bus.
There you go again with another lie, but it doesn't wash. Voter fraud is just a natural part of the process for the left.
How is that a lie? They might not be talking about it on Faux but every news organization in the country is talking about Republican fraud. You are truly the slow one aren't you. You low/no information types are a hoot.
Al Franken
TheStar is a troll. One that cannot keep up with current events.
Try checking out the organization that has now been caught TWICE this election screwing around with voter registrations, etc., one that has been hired by the Republican Party. Also check out the fraud perpetrated in the 2000 and 2004 elections, particularly the disenfranchisement efforts in Florida in 2000. Democrats? Nope. Republicans. The only pattern here is pretty obvious.
That's funny. I think you actually believe your own delusional crap.
George McGovern was right... the republicans were wrong... such is history
Revisionist leftist make believe history.
George McGovern, ... your fight is over. Thank you for standing your ground, ... and teaching a young lad about principles and convictions vs. bull@!$%# and egotism. You and your campaign turned a 17 year old into a fighter for the democratic process. My deepest regards to the McGovern family in this time of grief and retrospect. In God's speed Senator, ... I remain your humble servant.
Anyone know where "Reality" is? He should have been here by now. Perhaps it's past his bedtime, ... as 'jerking off' seems to take priority with the young "right".
My father was WWII vet and he was quite opposed to the war because of the needless suffering it caused. I was about 15 at the time and he never said a word against people that served not would he have called any one names or spit at them. Not every one agaisnt the war acted like and idiot. At least Sen. Mc Govern stuck to what he believed.
You see, the pendulum always swings way to the right and then back to the left. And so on, and so on. It's never in the middle where it belongs.