NOT political: George McGovern near death

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Whoever wrote this article could certainly have titled it better. Afraid some will make fun of the title and its implications. But the reality is that Sen. Mc Govern is comatose and about to pass on. [Ex-presidential</a> nominee George McGovern no longer responsive: family - Yahoo! News](<a href=“http://news.yahoo.com/ex-senator-presidential-nominee-mcgovern-no-longer-responsive-191525402.html]Ex-presidential”>http://news.yahoo.com/ex-senator-presidential-nominee-mcgovern-no-longer-responsive-191525402.html) Condolences to his family.
<a href=“Reuters”>quote</a> - Former Democratic Senator George McGovern, remembered for a devastating defeat by Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election and his efforts to fight world hunger, was near death on Wednesday at a South Dakota hospice center, his family said.
McGovern, 90, was admitted to a hospice suffering from a combination of medical conditions due to age that have worsened in recent months, his family said in a statement.
“The senator is no longer responsive,” the statement said. "He is surrounded by his loving family and close friends.

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2

<p>I was sorry to see the news report. Regardless of your political leanings, the senator was a decorated war hero who piloted numerous bombing missions during WWII. He was always a gentleman. Condolences to his family.</p>

3

<p>Very sad. He has had more than his share of sadness, too. Lost two kids to alcoholism. I’ll remember that he was always gracious, honorable and a gentleman.</p>

4

<p>I heard this, too, yesterday. Very sorry to hear it.</p>

5

<p>In high school I had a friend who was a big McGovern supporter and we went and did phone calls for his campaign many weekends.</p>

6

<p>I’m sad to hear this. The first campaign I ever worked on was McGovern’s–I was in high school. I had a friend whose father was involved in the Democratic Party and she was the one who got me to go out with her. We went door-to-door and made lots of phone calls. I loved the whole experience. I annoyed the heck out of my parents–insisting that they vote for McGovern. I didn’t live in MA at the time (I do now), but IIRC McGovern lost every state except for MA.</p>

<p>Looking back on that experience makes me wish I wasn’t as cynical about politics and politicians as I am now.</p>

7

<p>During the Nixon scandal, we had bumper stickers that said “Don’t blame me, I’m from Massachusetts!”</p>

8

<p>Although it will probably be missing from his obituaries, Senator McGovern’s most significant and lasting impact was his committee’s landmark 1977 report on nutrition, establishing for the first time federal government dietary guidelines that are still driving policy today:</p>

<p>[McGovern</a> Committee Report: Dietary Goals for the United States](<a href=“http://zerodisease.com/archive/Dietary_Goals_For_The_United_States.pdf]McGovern”>http://zerodisease.com/archive/Dietary_Goals_For_The_United_States.pdf)</p>

<p>Most of what Americans believe to be a “healthy” diet had its start in this committee’s report.</p>

9

<p>He died today: [George</a> S. McGovern, Democratic nominee who lost to Nixon in ’72, dies at 90 - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/george-s-mcgovern-democratic-nominee-who-lost-to-nixon-in-72-dies-at-90/2012/10/21/1db1dda8-c5db-11df-94e1-c5afa35a9e59_story.html]George”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/george-s-mcgovern-democratic-nominee-who-lost-to-nixon-in-72-dies-at-90/2012/10/21/1db1dda8-c5db-11df-94e1-c5afa35a9e59_story.html)</p>

10

<p>The 1972 presidential election was the first I voted in, and voted for McGovern. RIP, George.</p>

11

<p>RIP George. His sister taught my American Studies class in High School.</p>

12

<p>He was the first person I ever voted for for President. I remember those MA bumper stickers popping up almost everywhere.</p>

13

<p>Yes, RIP, Professor. Whether or not you agree with his politics, he was a good and decent man.</p>

14

<p>I also believe he was a good and decent person.</p>

15

<p>He was the first presidential candidate I was ever able to vote for and was and still am proud of that. He had a distinguished career apart from the electoral defeat and I agree with above poster, his work on nutrition and hunger is an outstanding legacy.</p>

16

<p>I voted for McGovern in 1972, too, and the election had a life-changing effect on me. I remember well that electoral map with only one blue spot. After the election, I moved to MA.</p>