Do you know anyone else in the entire universe who could go right to a trunk in their garage and pull out at least 4 magazines with covers featuring George McGovern and a bumper sticker? My McGovern buttons are missing in action, but I do know they are in a small white box and are sharing space with campagin buttons for Jimmy Carter, Michael Dukakis, and Bill Clinton along with various other political causes ("Stop Reagan's War on the Poor" comes to mind.)
As an aside: there is an ad in the July 21, 1972, Life magazine, for LPs or stereo 8 track tapes. Available titles? American Pie; Godspell, Al Green "Let's Stay Together"; Sonny and Cher "All I Ever Need is You"; Steppenwolf "For Ladies Only"; The Jackson Five "Lookin' Through the Window". Just thought you'd be interested.
Back in 1972, I was firmly against the war in Vietnam, and although I was only 15, became very involved in McGovern's presidential campaign. I have pictures of Ellen Buddy and me decorating Democratic headquarters in Dodge City. Maybe I should post them. Yes, I think I should - - but I'll have to figure out the whole "scan, copy, post" thing. Grant? Grant? Are you out there? HELP!
Anyway, McGovern stood for everything I believed in - - help for the poor, a voice for the disenfranchised, an end to the war. His acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention was given about 2 a.m. but it was wonderful.
Come home, America. That's what McGovern urged. Over and over during those early morning hours our nation was called to "come home". I remember staying up for that speech and it reasonated with me. Still does all these years later.
Evelyn Steimel lost a son in Vietnam. She became Another Mother for Peace - a national organization of mothers against the war. Evelyn was elected to be an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention. When it became clear that McGovern was going to get the nomination, one of the delegates stepped aside so Evelyn could cast her vote for McGovern - the man who said he would stop the bombing of Vietnam on the day he was innaugrated and have all the troops home withint 90 days. This plan, of course, in direct conflict with Nixon's "secret plan" to end the war.
As a Girl's Nation delegate in 1974, I was in Washington, D.C. for a week. We spent one day on Capital Hill. I was in the hall of a building whose name has long been forgotten, listening to Bob Dole blather on about something when someone came down the hall saying the GEorge McGovern was in a committee room close by. I walked away and went in search of my hero.
You see, in 1974 my dad was running for US Congress and was labeled with the brand "McGovern Liberal", like it's a bad thing. I suppose in western Kansas, it was a bad thing.
So, I had to see George McGovern, this man who my dad admired, my brother campaigned for in Nebraska (he rode a train and campaigned in towns across Nebraska) and who seemed to speak aloud the things that were in my heart.
I did see him. I heard his voice. I felt his presence.
Shortly after that day, my dad was in D.C. drumming up support for his congressional campaign. He got to sit down and meet with McGovern and talk about the issues of the day. Dad said that, in person, George McGovern was exactly like you would expect him to be.
In his later years, McGovern focused on world hunger. When he could have eased into retirement, he chose to remain involved and relevant. About 3 years ago, my brother (the one who campaigned for McGovern in Nebraska) went to a bookstore in Denver to hear McGovern speak about his most recent book. While walking across the street towards the store, my brother saw a man walking slowly in the same direction. No handlers around, just a guy walking into a bookstore.
It was George McGovern.
My brother introduced himself and they had a nice chat. At the end of the reading, my brother purchased a book for me and got it signed by the senator.
George McGovern left this world early this morning. I hope he knew that he impacted the lives of many, many young people. Young people who cut their teeth on his presidential campaign and have continued to be politically active. While he lost his presidential bid, it's important to note that McGovern was right in 1972. Richard Nixon was a crook. He was a terrible president. He did more harm than good. He resigned in disgrace.
George McGovern was right.
My heart is sad tonight. There is one less liberal fighting the good fight. But as long as those of us who learned how to be liberals from George McGovern are alive and vocal and involved, he will never been really gone.
Godspeed, Senator McGovern.
