George McGovern never had a chance of becoming President in 1972. The moment he entered the race his campaign was already dead—McGovern was a zombie. Throughout his presidential campaign McGovern was declared the candidate of “amnesty, abortion, and acid”. However, McGovern was not merely a zombie he was a leftist politician who championed peace, and economic equality. During this time, the New Left which was composed of leftist student political activists was on the rise. Thus, it is important to analyze McGovern as someone who agreed with the New Left on issues like war, expansion of public welfare, and civil liberties but differed on issues like abortion, and drugs. Finally, McGovern’s stunning defeat by President Richard Nixon was not from
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While McGovern did favor amnesty for draft dodgers he was ambiguous on social issues like abortion and opposed drug legalization. McGovern held an ambiguous view on abortion and was deeply conflicted on the issue. McGovern’s opinion is similar to some Republicans of today which is to allow the states to determine their abortion policy. Further, both of McGovern’s Vice Presidential candidates Thomas Eagleton and Sargent Shriver were pro-life. As previously stated New Left groups like SISTER called for full abortion rights for all women stating “all women should have access to information about abortion and should be able to receive abortions on demand,” McGovern also was not the candidate of “acid”. McGovern outlined a clear platform to curbdrug abuse in the United States by enforcement of drug policing and busting “big time dealers” instead of only in election years. New Left groups like the hippies were infamously associated with all types of drugs like weed, and hashish. Hippie Hugh Romney advocated drugs, love, and freedom and famously stated “If it feels good, do it.” It is obvious that McGovern would want to avoid being associated with the hippie and various New Left groups as they could damage his stance among conservative Democrats. However, McGovern was defeated by President Richard …show more content…
SDS leader Tom Hayden believed that McGovern’s was a misunderstood prophet who foretold the end of the Vietnam War, the national legalization of abortion, and the decriminalization of marijuana in eleven states. I agree with Hayden that McGovern did predict the end of the Vietnam War. However, Hayden assessment is flawed. McGovern was not in favor of the legalization of abortion and marijuana nationwide. Instead, the Democratic Party misunderstands McGovern. In 1976, the Democrats retreated from leftist politics and nominated centrist and McGovern foe Georgia governor Jimmy Carter. The Carter administration emphasized tax cuts for the wealthy, deregulation, and a hawkish foreign policy. This rightward trend continued under Democratic President Bill Clinton. As President Bill Clinton signed, various right wing proposals like the North American Free Trade Agreement, welfare reform, and more tax cuts for the wealthy. The Democratic Party was no longer the party of the New Deal and unions it was now a big business party and right wing politics. McGovern lamented his party’s rightward shift commenting on Democratic Party claims “their words ring hollow to most Americans…Growth continues to be concentrated at the top—not among those in the middle or
While McGovern did favor amnesty for draft dodgers he was ambiguous on social issues like abortion and opposed drug legalization. McGovern held an ambiguous view on abortion and was deeply conflicted on the issue. McGovern’s opinion is similar to some Republicans of today which is to allow the states to determine their abortion policy. Further, both of McGovern’s Vice Presidential candidates Thomas Eagleton and Sargent Shriver were pro-life. As previously stated New Left groups like SISTER called for full abortion rights for all women stating “all women should have access to information about abortion and should be able to receive abortions on demand,” McGovern also was not the candidate of “acid”. McGovern outlined a clear platform to curbdrug abuse in the United States by enforcement of drug policing and busting “big time dealers” instead of only in election years. New Left groups like the hippies were infamously associated with all types of drugs like weed, and hashish. Hippie Hugh Romney advocated drugs, love, and freedom and famously stated “If it feels good, do it.” It is obvious that McGovern would want to avoid being associated with the hippie and various New Left groups as they could damage his stance among conservative Democrats. However, McGovern was defeated by President Richard …show more content…
SDS leader Tom Hayden believed that McGovern’s was a misunderstood prophet who foretold the end of the Vietnam War, the national legalization of abortion, and the decriminalization of marijuana in eleven states. I agree with Hayden that McGovern did predict the end of the Vietnam War. However, Hayden assessment is flawed. McGovern was not in favor of the legalization of abortion and marijuana nationwide. Instead, the Democratic Party misunderstands McGovern. In 1976, the Democrats retreated from leftist politics and nominated centrist and McGovern foe Georgia governor Jimmy Carter. The Carter administration emphasized tax cuts for the wealthy, deregulation, and a hawkish foreign policy. This rightward trend continued under Democratic President Bill Clinton. As President Bill Clinton signed, various right wing proposals like the North American Free Trade Agreement, welfare reform, and more tax cuts for the wealthy. The Democratic Party was no longer the party of the New Deal and unions it was now a big business party and right wing politics. McGovern lamented his party’s rightward shift commenting on Democratic Party claims “their words ring hollow to most Americans…Growth continues to be concentrated at the top—not among those in the middle or