The Others

Quickly now, before they vanish. “You have to do what you have to do, and I have to do this.” So George McGovern announced his candidacy last September at George Washington University, seventh of the eight-man field. Age has bared his brow and pinched the nasal preacher’s voice into yet more creaky registers. “I believe I am ready now as at no previous time in my life to lead this nation.” The voters didn’t think he was all that ready the last time, of course, administering him the worst drubbing ever received by a Democrat.* The parallel that comes uncomfortably to mind for this race is that of Harold Stassen, wooing from the hustings of the ego the votes that will never be. McGovern rejects it, and insists that he is properly compared to Barry Goldwater the man of principle, once thought extreme, who remade his party in his own image. There is justice in both views.

George Stanley McGovern was born July 19, 1922, in Avon, South Dakota, son of a Methodist minister. In high school he was a debater (one of his opponents, Eleanor Stegeberg, later became his wife). He served in World War II as a bomber pilot, landing a crippled B-24 on his last mission. McGovern studied divinity for a time, but ultimately got his PhD from Northwestern in history. While in school, he served as a delegate to the Progressive Party convention of 1948.

About the Author

Richard Brookhiser

Historian Richard Brookhiser is a senior editor of National Review and a senior fellow at the National Review Institute.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Presidential Election

Quickly now, before they vanish. “You have to do what you have to do, and I have to do this.” So George McGovern announced his candidacy last September at George Washington University, seventh of the eight-man field. Age has bared his brow and pinched the nasal preacher’s voice into yet more creaky registers. “I believe I am ready now as at no previous time in my life to lead this nation.” The voters didn’t think he was all that ready the last time, of course, administering him the worst drubbing ever received by a Democrat.* The parallel that comes uncomfortably to mind for this race is that of Harold Stassen, wooing from the hustings of the ego the votes that will never be. McGovern rejects it, and insists that he is properly compared to Barry Goldwater the man of principle, once thought extreme, who remade his party in his own image. There is justice in both views.

George Stanley McGovern was born July 19, 1922, in Avon, South Dakota, son of a Methodist minister. In high school he was a debater (one of his opponents, Eleanor Stegeberg, later became his wife). He served in World War II as a bomber pilot, landing a crippled B-24 on his last mission. McGovern studied divinity for a time, but ultimately got his PhD from Northwestern in history. While in school, he served as a delegate to the Progressive Party convention of 1948.