George McGovern Quotes


I assume that everyone here is impressed with my control of this convention as my choice for the vice president was challenged by only 39 other nominees.


Context

At that time the Presidential nominee had influence but could not unilaterally determine who his running mate would be as the Party Conventions—especially the Democratic Party Convention—was wide open. The candidate joked in this quotation, but the party leaders were very unhappy with such an open convention and after the 1972 election which they lost handily, the rules were changed to give party leaders more influence. By the 21st century, the primary elections had all but made the party conventions a quaint celebration and no serious decisions were made by the party leaders or the party delegates.


Citations

George McGovern, U. S. Congressman & U. S. Senator (Democrat, SD), Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention, 1972

Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations

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George McGovern
George McGovern
  • Born: July 19, 1922
  • Died: October 21, 2012
  • Nationality: American
  • Profession: Politician

George Stanley McGovern was an American politician, historian, U.S. representative, U.S. senator, and the Democratic Party presidential nominee in the 1972 presidential election.