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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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I was saddened to learn that Specter had died and I'm sad to learn that McGovern has died. The party doesn't matter. If they were men who sincerely loved their country, who didn't lie and cheat for political gain, didn't disempower some Americans to make things more convenient for others, and who devoted their lives to "trying to make America better", I feel sad.
Rest in peace, sir.
To the McGovern family - just know that George exemplifys what a real American was in the past and should be today - freedom loving, oppose to war and the treating of all human beings as God's children. May he rest in peace and may you know that your dad, grandpa and great grandpa was a hero to American people and an example to all of what it means to be an American. If he were running for President right now, he would win by a landslide as I am sure people in the US like sick of the barbs being tossed around - a few examples - killing Big Bird (guess that means all non-profit funding will be cut; Romnesia - although I agree when it comes to policy and Mitt and Paul's circling of the wagon and saying not what they believe but what they think Americans want to hear - but who knows what they believe and would try to pass) but feel the President could have stayed off this bandwagon and talk more about how he differs with the Flip Flop's so-called plan. Last but not least is the increase in defense budget and the 47% and a binder full of women - this seems to be their real plan - increasing our presence in the Middle East - fighting a battle we should never have gotten into and getting more American men and women killed; increasing taxes on the 47% only to benefit the rich friends of them both and last but not least their stand against women in achieving basic human rights - free choice, abortion if that is what they want even though some do not agree even in cases of rape and equal pay to name but a few things) and believe me if the only way Mitt could get women to serve on the highest jobs in government is to ask others for names to put in his infamous binder - don't you wonder where that binder is today - probably in the attack of one of his many houses collecting dust or hidden away overseas with his Ghidden assets waiting for the time to retrieve his assets and the binder and will throw the binder into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of MA where he said he served as the most successful governor the state has ever Gknown when it was the democrat controlled congress and senate who ran the state - after all Mitt was busy putting his dog in a crate and placing her on the roof of his car to go on one of many vacations during his tenure as governor.
Mitt - may your windshield be continuously covered with your family pet's poop as you drive away in the sunset after losing the election - folks if he wins, head for the hills.
George - hope this gives you and all the other saints you live with your laugh for the day - may you watch the election and pray that the US survives until 2016 and women can take control of the White House and the citizens can learn what it means to work across the aisles - hopefully they will turn to your memory of what you believed it was that made a true American. RIP
One of the most important pro-people, pro-peace American politicians just passed away. I mourn George McGovern's death now even more sadly because this is a time when we needed an honest, upright leader like him. The two parties have failed us, and it's likely that we're going to see a new round of the horrible Bush-Cheney years -- with global wars and repression of humanity deja vu. A tragic moment for this great country.
We might be able to resurrect those soon enough.
It is with a sad heart to learn of this great mans death. When we look back you really wonder how different our world would be had he been the president. We all havev missed opportunities in life and unfortunatly sometimes we make a wrong decision I did I voted for Nixon.
love of country, RU kidding me, these progressives love their money, and power. They have voted themselves life time annuities that are outrageous, and out right stealing and calling it Progressive! yeah, right! It is criminal. and we just watch and pay.
More untruth and trash talk from a troll who knows nothing obviously. Have no need or time for the likes of you!!! Ignore button activated.
Rest in Peace, Mr. McGovern-my grandparents thought highly of you as an individual during their times.
R.I.P. and Thank You, from one of the many whom you inspired with your courage and compassion. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Would that we had more like you.
God bless you, Mr. McGovern. You made the world a better place. Someone has to do the heavy lifting and not just sit around complaining. You were a true gentleman and a good person. May God greet you warmly in your new home.
Look at the lasting damage this liberal caused to our country. Let's NOT make this mistake again this election. Vote conservative and take back our country and avoid the cliff of Socializm.
"izm"? Good grief...if you are going to incorrectly make these assertions, at least learn to spell the word. Ah, the low information voter...
My condolences to the McGovern family and close friends and collegues. Senator George McGovern was the first presidential candidate I voted for when I was 18. It was the first time 18 years olds were allowed to vote and so it was historic on a couple of national and personal fronts.
I am very grateful for George McGovern's voice throughout his life. He spoke up for those who were dispossessed for one reason or another which I also have tried to do in a much smaller way. When Multiple Sclerosis changed my ability to be more self-sufficient I became very grateful for voices such as Senator McGovern's and Senator Kennedy's as well as several others. The hateful rhetoric of Congress in recent years toward people like me who become compromised through no fault of their own is quite literally sickening. And for those legislators afraid to speak up because they might lose votes - shame on you and get out of office if you cannot speak up for ALL the people! R.I.P. George McGovern. It is a sad day.
You want help Lana, you had better vote for Romney because you won't get it from Obama, trust me, lady.
NONE of us would vote for a self serving piece of trash like Robme or any OTHER fascist tratitor repub who only care about making the USA a tool of the "corporate state", a plutocracy, theocracy for their far right extremists ideaology and obsession for those who already have so much $$$$, they could not spend it in 4 lifetimes. For any so-called "conservative" who has nothing better to do then to dance on the grave of a man who DID serve our country in battle, in the Senate and did so much for humanity, SHAME ON YOU UnAmerican, vindictive hater mongerers.
To the troll who said "liberals were rotten when Breitbart died", Breitbart c/n even be put in the category of such a person as Senator McGovern and was just another bloviating pundit who spread hate, wrote and spoke lie after lie and had no respect for anyone, not even himself. Leave us be and go find a deserted island for your kind to do your RW cluster-f--ks of vitriol while patting each other on the back to see who can be the most obnoxious, disrespectful and live in your alternate universe where deception, fear, intimidation, bat-sh!t conspiracy theories, greed, and endless warmongering can reign supreme.
WE DO NOT WANT IT HERE!!! First and last thing I will say to RWNJ trolls who pollute everything, no MATTER WHAT the subject is. FASCISTS, all of you.
"...trust me, lady." Sounds like a line from a used car salesman - how appropriate.
I am a very right-wing conservative, but I admire McGovern's unwavering dedication to principle. McGovern, like Eugene McCarthy, was one of the few "liberals" who upheld the Constitution without compromise. Today, few politicians, left or right, understand those principles.
Rest in Peace, Senator McGovern, there are few men of your character left.
who cares? there are people dying every second of every day. yawn.
Obviously you do. You took the time to go to this article. You then took the time to go to the comments. You then took the time to post a whiney little comment of your own. Gee, you must care a lot. Too bad you don't have the class to either give a short, sympathetic post or none at all. I think the posts on here from the right are quite revealing; I've seen a few that were well stated, but the majority have been putrid.
Poor George, he was in the wrong party! Well, he knows it now.
Really? Did you know that he wrote a book called "What it Means to Be a Democrat?" Did you also know that this book was published last year?
No, you didn't because you don't read. Your manners also leave a lot to be desired, marilee. George McGovern had more class in his pinky finger than you have in your whole being.
McGovern was a great man and a great politician. Too bad there are none left who are like him. Nowadays, it's political posturing, pandering and perversion of the system in whatever way it takes to win, win, win! Mr McGovern ended up living a great life after he lost that election. He single-handedly did more good for the world than the entire US Congress has done in the last thirty years. May he RIP and I express my condolences to all his family and friends.
The guy was a loser! One less liberal in the world - time to celebrate!!!!
rsm-944022 you are very ignorant. If you have something negative or hurtful about the man please do it in some other forum. If you had a heart you would realize that this is a place to show some respect and not write some meaningless garbage. By the way your making liberals look very good right now and I will thank you for that.
One less RW troll I have to deal with. Ignore button activated!!!
You mean show respect like that which is shown by people like Ed Schultz toward conservatives? Are you offended? TOO BAD!!! McGovern was a left wing looney. One less liberal in the world!
Did mean old Mr. Schultz hurt your poor little feelings? Awwww...that's too bad. I must have missed where he spewed the garbage you folks on the right are about someone's death.
Talk about "looneys"...
Dear George,
When you were in Politics the Democratic Party was a Party to Respect. Both you and the Party are now gone
You're right about that back in the days of Harry Truman the party cared about the people but no more now it's concerned about turning the people into slaves of the Government.
I've had "eough," too. All this whining about enslavement by the left, when it is the RIGHT that intends to enslave you. Perhaps you might consider waking up...if you are posting on here, you are unlikely to be in the 1%, so you will lose under a right wing administration. Try getting a clue.
How sad! I voted for him in 1972. He was a good man, an honest politician, a good husband and father like President Obama is today.
He was one of the few, the great, and the honest men in Washington DC... Glad he was an American. He was a hero to the common man.
These Obamatons are unbelievable....
I was President of one of the Young Republican chapters in Virginia in 1972 after returning from Vietnam and voted for Nixon. I didn't like the war and saw the way it was fought in a political way but still bought in to the notion we were fighting the Communist threat. Later I realized the fallacy of my thinking and beliefs and changed parties and McGovern was a hero of mine in my young adult years. I am thankful he lived and fought for what he believed in. I am also thankful he told the truth. I look forward to the day I can meet him in person at the next level whatever that might be. Meanwhile as we all express our condolences we have the right wingers, mean and just thoughtless who get on here and think they are cute making their comments. George would just smile and say that is why we have to continue this fight. You righties coming here to make comments should be ashamed but you are not ashamed because you have no shame...and not much in the way of common sense either. RIP Senator..we will keep working for what you believed in and thank you for your life and contribution to us...
Thanks for all the wonderful years of truly honest public service you gave to our country. Godspeed Sir.
too many negative posts presented as condolences or outright expressiions of disrespect.
Regardless of his political views he is still a human being who has left this plane of existence. May he and his family find peace. RIP: George McGovern.
Had he served the country well????.......or you have served him very well ?????.... many idiots still do not understand nothing from nothing.....
Rest in Peace Mr. McGovern, your humanity will always be remembered. My condolenses to his family and friends and please take comfort in knowing that there are many people out there with you in their thoughts.
I recall the vitriol from this site and the looney liberals who live on this site when Andrew Breitbart died recently. Or how about the venom spewed by MSNBC's Ed Schultz against Bush and Chenney? I feel no sadness in McGovern moving on to the next life - they can have him! Are you offened? GOOD.
Breitbart was a lying, thieving, low rent scumbag. George McGovern was a great man who did great things for this country and unlike the tough talking Chicken Hawks in the GOP, fought for his country with great distinction. Willard will never be able to make that claim.
Breitbart was a biased scumbag incapable of compromise. Did he positively serve our country in any way or just negatively for Fox News?
Thanks for proving my point, morons! Oh, and the left isn't biased? Please. The right sucks? Hey, guess who is going to win the election in November, dumb a#@? Yup, the right!
A statement like that forces me to ask you...did you give yourself a lifetime prescription for drugs or are you just a regular old angry drunk white guy with an ax to grind?