In 1972, thousands of young Americans first entered politics by volunteering with Senator George McGovern's 1972 campaign. Most were attracted by the Senator's staunch opposition to the war in Vietnam and his support for full civil rights for all Americans. I was one of them.
I left college in the winter of 1971-1972 and headed for the snows of New Hampshire where the first primary was to take place. McGovern was at 1% in the polls. Hard to believe with today's primary calendar, but the New Hampshire primary was on March 7 and the primary season stretched until June 20 (New York). After a big McGovern showing in New Hampshire, my hiatus from classes was extended – ultimately through November.
During the next few weeks, I plan to write about the campaign (as I saw it) through a series of diaries. I hope they will be of interest. But first, some background and an announcement after the fold.
During World War II, George McGovern was a decorated bomber pilot, who flew more than 35 combat missions in Europe. He later served in the US House; as head of John Kennedy’s Food for Peace Program (McGovern’s idea); and as a US Senator. He was the father of food stamps, WIC, school lunch programs, and other key domestic and international nutrition and hunger programs. He was an early and leading opponent of the Vietnam War. In 1972, he was the Democratic nominee for President. Since leaving the Senate in 1980, he has been a tireless advocate for hunger and nutrition; served as World Food Ambassador for Presidents Clinton and Bush; and was an early and vociferous opponent of the Iraq war.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT: July 2007 will mark the 35th anniversary of McGovern's selection as the 1972 Democratic nominee for President and his 85th birthday. In honor of those events, McGovern's family, friends, former staffers, and campaign workers from across the country will gather in Washington, DC on July 13-14 to honor him and his legacy of public service. The host committee includes, among others, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, actor Warren Beatty (who was very active in the 1972 campaign), Sen. Gary Hart (the 1972 presidential campaign manager), Frank Mankiewicz (McGovern’s campaign director), and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA).
If you were a part of McGovern campaign, or supported it, please go to www.mcgovern72.org and register. Please register even if you will not attend the celebration. It should be a great way to hook up and re-connect.