Sunday, October 21, 2012

R.I.P. Sen. George McGovern, Democrat from South Dakota

Sen. George McGovern died this morning in his hometown of Sioux Falls, S.D. He grew up in the Great Depression Dust Bowl, won the DFC for his actions over Europe's skies during WWII, and was the Democratic Party presidential nominee in 1972.

He was the first presidential candidate I voted for, back when I was 21 and living in Boston.

McGovern's dedication to liberal politics was an inspiration to me then and remains so now.

This comes from an obit this morning on NPR:
President Bill Clinton lauded McGovern's achievements at the 2006 dedication of the McGovern Library in Mitchell, S.D.

"In the storied history of American politics, I believe no other presidential candidate ever had such an enduring impact in defeat," Clinton said at the time.
And this, from Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary:
Yarrow says McGovern inspired an entire generation of Americans.

"There are few and far between that measure up to the dignity, honesty and fantastic commitment of George McGovern that kept this country strong and conscious for all these years," Yarrow said.
Public servant, war hero, anti-war hero, author and fine human being. R.I.P., Sen. McGovern.

1 comment:

larry kurtz said...

In about 1970 or so, my very furious retired Air Force Republican father wrote the Sioux Falls Argus Leader after it ran a photo that cited George McGovern with the offense of a civilian wearing a USAF flight suit during the Viet Nam War.

The letters that followed afterwards accused Dad of nitpicking; but, he received numerous letters of encouragement at home.

Maybe this puts me in the South Dakota Hall of Shame but '72 was my first year to vote and filled the oval for Gus Hall, the Communist Party candidate.

Thanks for your kind words, Michael.