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Failed 1972 presidential candidate George McGovern has switched sides in the Democratic Party’s bitter primary contest, yesterday endorsing Barack Obama.
Mr McGovern praised Mr Obama as the candidate most likely to end the war in Vietnam.
Since Mr McGovern won a bitter and protracted primary battle in 1972 that ended in defeat at that year’s presidential election, his view on which Democrat should lose the presidency in 2008 has been highly sought-after.
The endorsement by a former Hillary Clinton supporter and three-time presidential loser is a major coup for the Obama camp, which has raised expectations that the Illinois Democrat could also recruit the man who beat McGovern, Richard Nixon. Such is Mr Obama’s persuasive power, he can win the hearts and minds of Americans no matter what their race, political affiliation and level of alive-ness.
Mr McGovern’s “amnesty, abortion and acid” campaign foundered after the candidate denied that was his slogan. Voters were also concerned that the South Dakota senator may have changed his name to sound more presidential.
The final straw for his presidential bid came when running-mate Thomas Eagleton admitted he had received electro-shock therapy for depression. Voters considered this a frivolous use of electricity during the energy crisis.
2008 Republican candidate John McCain didn’t vote in the 1972 election, he was tied up at the time.
