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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCharles P. Pierce Politics Blog: "Happy Birthday, George McGovern" A wonderful tribute!
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/george-mcgovern-birthday-10818938
The man whom Bobby Kennedy called "the most decent man in the Senate" turns 90 today.
The worst thing that ever happened to the Democratic party in this country is that, when McGovern lost so big to history's yard waste in 1972, the rest of the party was complicit in turning him and the politics he represented into a punchline for the next 20 years. He was the template. He was the first war-hero Democrat you don't fly 35 missions in a B-24 and come away with a DFC without a big clanging pair of brass ones, kids who was accused of being a wimp by a flock of chickenhawks. (Ronald Reagan? Who kept the bar at the Brown Derby safe from Nazi occupation? Please to be giving me a break.) He was the first liberal Democrat against whom other opportunistic Democrats bragged about running. He was turned into a synonym for something he was not. He was the vehicle through which Democrats taught other Democrats to be terrified of all their best instincts and all their best policies. Through it all, he remained exactly what Bobby Kennedy said he was, and more.
And, just for the eternal historical record, because of the invaluable work of Stanley Kutler, we find that, on July 19, 1972, George McGovern's 50th birthday, the man he was running against had a meeting with his aide, Chuck Colson, in which they chatted amiably about how the Watergate cover-up was going as regards Howard Hunt, the White House aide who hired and supervised the burglars.
Nixon is dead. Colson is dead. Hunt is dead. The most decent man in the Senate turns 90 today.
Sometimes, god's on duty.
The man whom Bobby Kennedy called "the most decent man in the Senate" turns 90 today.
The worst thing that ever happened to the Democratic party in this country is that, when McGovern lost so big to history's yard waste in 1972, the rest of the party was complicit in turning him and the politics he represented into a punchline for the next 20 years. He was the template. He was the first war-hero Democrat you don't fly 35 missions in a B-24 and come away with a DFC without a big clanging pair of brass ones, kids who was accused of being a wimp by a flock of chickenhawks. (Ronald Reagan? Who kept the bar at the Brown Derby safe from Nazi occupation? Please to be giving me a break.) He was the first liberal Democrat against whom other opportunistic Democrats bragged about running. He was turned into a synonym for something he was not. He was the vehicle through which Democrats taught other Democrats to be terrified of all their best instincts and all their best policies. Through it all, he remained exactly what Bobby Kennedy said he was, and more.
And, just for the eternal historical record, because of the invaluable work of Stanley Kutler, we find that, on July 19, 1972, George McGovern's 50th birthday, the man he was running against had a meeting with his aide, Chuck Colson, in which they chatted amiably about how the Watergate cover-up was going as regards Howard Hunt, the White House aide who hired and supervised the burglars.
Nixon: What's will he say then?
Colson: Well, if he's properly coached and he's got a good lawyer, I think he is the one guy I figure will take the rap, take the heat, and will not speak.
Nixon is dead. Colson is dead. Hunt is dead. The most decent man in the Senate turns 90 today.
Sometimes, god's on duty.
Great comments at the link, too.
McGovern in '72 was my first general election vote. And as one of the commenters on Pierce's blog says, it was the one time I voted FOR a candidate.
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Charles P. Pierce Politics Blog: "Happy Birthday, George McGovern" A wonderful tribute! (Original Post)
scarletwoman
Jul 2012
OP
I was 22, less than 2 weeks away from turning 23. I couldn't vote in '68 because they hadn't changed
scarletwoman
Jul 2012
#3
those who never heard that great speech or would like to hear it again..here it is in its entirety
Douglas Carpenter
Jul 2012
#7
femmocrat
(28,394 posts)1. My first vote was cast for Senator McGovern, too.
The country is so much poorer for his loss to nixon.
Happy Birthday, Senator!
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)2. voted for him on my 18th birthday
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)3. I was 22, less than 2 weeks away from turning 23. I couldn't vote in '68 because they hadn't changed
the voting age in time for me to vote in that election. I think they changed it to 18 in 1969. Otherwise, I would have proudly voted for Eugene McCarthy in '68.
I've always loved both those wonderful old-time Democrats. It was a huge loss to our country that neither of them won.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)4. k&r n/t
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)5. Thanks! Much appreciated!
chieftain
(3,222 posts)6. I have worked for a lot of politicians in my time.
I remain proudest of working for George McGovern. As I mentioned on another thread Come Home America,a great speech that too few Americans heard. Happy Birthday Senator.
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)7. those who never heard that great speech or would like to hear it again..here it is in its entirety
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)8. Many thanks for posting that! (nt)
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)12. remember this from Chicago in 1968?
midnight
(26,624 posts)9. Happy Birthday Sen. McGovern...
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)10. K&R
senseandsensibility
(18,612 posts)11. Happy Birthday!
Proud McGovern liberal here.