This man was my first political memory. I am ashamed for this board that I have to start this thread. God bless you George McGovern, God speed on your next journey.
My first political experience was doing lit drops with my parents for McGovern in '72. Rest in peace, George. You fought the good fight.
Anyone remember the bumper stickers when all the Watergate stuff started to come out, "Don't balme me, I'm from Massachussets"? I was a kid, but I remember watching the news with my father and there was a poll they did where they asked people, knowing what you know now, who would you have voted for, and George McGovern would have won. I remember being angry that they couldn't just install him as President. My dad tried to play the role of American Brummie, explaining the nuances of polling, but somehow it went soaring over my head!
At one point I had a genuine McGovern/Eagleton campaign button. It got lost when the parents sold their house.
Not sure which would be more implausible today: a) A candidate winning 49-1 or b) People publicly disavowing their support for a candidate they voted for, even if it was the worst scandal in modern American politics.