George McGovern was a class act. Even those who disagreed with him politically would have had no problem saying this. McGovern ran against Richard Nixon in 1972 on a platform built around ending the Vietnam War–this was back when the Democratic Party really *was* the party of peace and didn't mothball anti-war protests when it benefited them politically–and was trounced in the process. He handled his defeat like he did everything else in his life, with humor and class. Until his death he remained a vocal opponent of war and a reminder that at one point American politicians based their careers on principles and not the pursuit of power. McGovern died Sunday morning while in hospice care in Minnesota at the age of 90.
McGovern's family released a statement that succinctly sums up his career and lasting impact on the American political landscape:
"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."
McGovern is forever synonymous with his landslide loss to Richard Nixon in 1972. He gained just over 38% of the popular vote making him one of the 'biggest losers' in American political history. It wasn't that his message didn't resonate with many Americans, but his campaign repeatedly shot itself in the foot–as it did with the ill fated selection of the thinly vetted Alan Eagleson as his VP candidate. It didn't take long for McGovern to reconcile himself to his defeat and within a year he was joking about it, as with this quip he made at a 1973 dinner:
"For many years, I wanted to run for the presidency in the worst possible way — and last year, I sure did."
McGovern continued his heavy schedule of speaking and issue activism past his 90th birthday. In an era when the Democratic Party is busy trying to rationalize its new found enthusiasm for drones and armed conflict, McGovern's words are a refreshing and unequivocal indictment of the pointlessness of war:
"I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Former Presidential Candidate George McGovern Dead At 90 - Maboot
Dengan url
https://goartikelasik.blogspot.com/2012/10/former-presidential-candidate-george.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Former Presidential Candidate George McGovern Dead At 90 - Maboot
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Former Presidential Candidate George McGovern Dead At 90 - Maboot
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar