Thank you, Senator McGovern. Today we mourn a winner.

George McGovern has died. Forty years after forever changing the face of the Democratic Party, and just two years after skydiving on his 88th birthday, the former Senator and Presidential candidate passed away in hospice care at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

An illustrious man who led an illustrious life.

This blog had attempted, only slightly tongue-in-cheek, that the humble man from the prairie make another run at the presidency, not only for the good of the nation, but to rectify a false perception that McGovern's views on peace and prosperity were some how outside of mainstream political thought. Sadly, George McGovern made the news throughout much of the last year for his failing health rather than a resurgence in his political ambitions.

However, in death, his views have once again come to light, serving as a stirring reminder that this country is much better off for his noble, if ultimately unsuccessful campaign for the White House four decades ago.

But although the ultimate prize of winning the Presidency in 1972 may have been unsuccessful, many of George McGovern's visions certainly did come to fruition. Specifically, I refer to the moment that gave the Senator the loudest applause during his nomination acceptance speech:


"I am here as your candidate tonight because in four administrations of both parties, a terrible war has been chartered behind closed doors," thundered McGovern. "I want those doors opened and I want that war closed!"

The war did close, after those doors did indeed open. His signature platform came true. Do you doubt me? George McGovern brought new people into the political process, not the same hacks who had managed Presidential campaigns in years prior. His Dallas, Texas campaign office is a shining example of McGovern's open door policy. That office was managed by a young law student from Arkansas by the name of Bill Clinton, and his girlfriend, Hillary Rodham. Paid staff also included an 18-year-old African-American from the streets of Dallas by the name of Ron Kirk, who later become the first African-American mayor of that very city, as well as Ann Richards, who would become Texas' first female governor. Oh yeah, Steven Spielberg worked at that Dallas office ,too.

This is not the work of a "loser." This was a man of great foresight whose impact has helped this nation for generations. This is the work of a winner.

World War II is but one example of a lifetime of service.

And at the risk of sounding overly partisan, it is important to remember that his opponent in 1972 was nothing short of a loser. It is important to bear in mind that in less than 24 hours of this writing, Lance Armstrong may be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles. At the very least, one can make a rational argument that Lance was on a level playing field with his competitors during that time period, virtually all of which have tested positive at some point in their careers for performance enhancing drugs. One cannot say that Richard Nixon was competing on a level playing field with George McGovern.

Watergate revealed that Nixon was a cheater, and the organized break-in at McGovern's national campaign headquarters was merely the tip of a massive iceberg. How massive? One example might be the destruction of the Ed Muskie campaign during the 1972 Democratic Primaries. Many recall Senator Muskie broke down crying during a public speech in New Hampshire. What less people recall is that self-proclaimed Gonzo Journalist Hunter S. Thompson speculated that Muskie was under the influence of a hallucinogenic drug at the time of his public breakdown. This startling allegation would seem like one of Thompson's absurd rantings, if not for the fact that in his biography of Richard Nixon, straight-laced reporter Anthony Summers did research into Nixon's campaign tactics. Guess what? Summers  found evidence that Nixon campaign operatives had indeed spiked Muskie's coffee with a hallucinogenic drug!

That is merely one example that we know about. We may never know how many others. Examples like  these should serve as a reminder that calls to eradicate poverty, promote racial harmony and fight discrimination, and promote the causes of peace and justice are not outside of mainstream political thought, but rather hardcore American values.

Two years after this photo was taken, someone else was flashing a piece in disgrace.

And that is how we shall view the late Senator George McGovern. We view him as a man who dedicated his life to make not only his country but the entire world a better place to live. We view him as a winner. Thank you Senator. We will miss you greatly, and we will admire you good work close at hand always.