Don't Forget What the Repubs did to McGovern in 1972/Beware

[IconoclastIlene]

As much as Nixon was hated (and he really was)and eventually forced to step down because of the Watergate Scandal, let us not forget how dirty the republicans can be when they are cornered. They convinced people that McGovern was soft on "commies" and would be the downfall of our nation, should he have been elected.

McGovern was said to be a great humanitarian alternative to Nixon, yet he carried only two states in the Presidential election in 1972.

I remember the collective disgust that many people felt regarding Nixon; the disgust with the Viet Nam war, and the disparity between race and classes. I remember all the hope that died with the Nixon landslide over McGovern.

In the ensuing months, you are gonna see the filthiest politics ever known to man, against any Democrat who runs against Bush.

1972 was the year I graduated from High School. As an 18 year old I was privileged to have been able to vote for this man, however, I know that a lot of energy is going to be needed to ameliorate the effects that the mud slinging that is sure to follow when the repubs, fight back en force. The Democrats are going to be labeled as soft on terrorism, will allow conditions of pre 9/11 to return to the point where we would become defenseless against terrorists. That only Republicans can prevent another 9/11 ad nauseum.

Remember, they (the Repubs) are going to try to frighten everyone into re electing Bush, the same way the public was frightened into voting for Nixon. Please don't let this happen. Learn from history and try to do whatever you can to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself. I know that things are "different today" but human nature remains pretty much the same and frightened people are apt to do almost anything.

I can see the Repubs trying frighten everyone into re-electing Bush. If nothing else, they will play the 9/11 card ad nauseum and try to use fear tactics or any other tactics, to re-elect Bush. The corporate thuggery movement is alive and well. I don't think they want their "happy hour" to end just yet. Beware of what name calling can do and keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground.

Thank you.

[RandomKoolzip]

1. And don't forget....

Another 9/11, a BIGGER 9/11, could happen at any time, should Bush feel his support slipping.

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. Good point. The Democrats must be clear that they are tough on terror

Remember George Wallace's 1958 promise to himself.

Edwards needs to pump his neighborhood TIPS program more.

[deminflorida]

3. Neal Bourque.....is already painting Kerry as soft on Defense

and the War on Terror. Heard him this morning saying Kerry wanted to turn the War on Terror over to Law Enforcement, i.e. make it an FBI operation instead of a military campaign.

Wes Clark on Kerry's ticket would squash that rhetoric really fast. In addition Clark's ability to win Arkansas, and possibly other southern states would drive the GOP nuts.

Kerry/Clark is their greatest fear.

[IronLionZion]

6. Gore was from Tennessee and lost it

Just because Clark is from Arkansas doesn't mean he can win it. Same for Edwards and North Carolina. A better chance would be Graham and Florida or Gephardt and Missouri.

[havocmom]

4. Thanks for the reminder, Madame_Bovary

Yes, we should expect much worse than anything CREEP ever came up with in 72. The neocons are good at learning from history and will likely avoid a lot of mistakes made by CREEP. Newt has spent over a decade teaching tactics from the Nazi propaganda machine and it will be a tougher battle this time out.

Am firmly convinced that one mistake they don't make is leaving anyone around to tell tales. There is a reason anthrax turned up in Dem offices and media offices of those who have voices (think Brokaw). They were letting any real oppostion know that reisitance would be fatal.

From another who thought it was great to vote for McGovern for my first time to the polls in a presidential, welcome to DU. Tis good to have some voices here to let the youngsters hear tales of other bad old days and know there can be change.

[bobbieinok]

5. 1972 the 'dirty tricks' election - Muskie, Watergate

also the handling of Eagleton

[H2O Man]

7. Great post!

McGovern was a war hero, too. The Nixon forces made it seem like just the opposite. I really want to thank you for this post!

[IconoclastIlene]

8. You are quite welcome.

This is serious because "we" all thought that Nixon would be defeated handily. This was not the case. Nixon ended the draft at the last minute and did a few tricks like that.

I'm sure with Osama out there; tricks galore are in the offing.

[lostnfound]

9. I agree. That's why I'm concerned about "like-ability" in the GE.

I'm 60-40 or 50-50 on Edwards vs Kerry..wanted Dean, want Kucinich of course..but in the GE, I'm afraid of what the Repubs will be able to do against any of our candidates.

Kerry's strongest card against Bush for the GE was probably war experience; but Repubs will paint him .. well, we already know how.. and that card has been partially played now, anyway..

I'm not feeling optimistic at the moment. :-(

[IconoclastIlene]

10. If only hard, hard core repubs vote for Bush...

I mean fanatical republicans.....then, I am an optimist. If Bush strikes fear into the heart of people, then I get a little faint of heart myself.

Kerry is a serious man; for serious times. Edwards (who I do like) just doesn't seem serious enough nor experienced enough for the times right now.

I bet lots less folks would like to go to a barbeque with George than they would have 3 years ago, but what what did then know then? We have collectively learned a lot about the man in the white house and I cannot give up hope on the American people's ability to distinguish the wheat from the chaff, and Kerry is, IMO, an honorable, intelligent and well spoken person.

Americans, if they deserve it, will endeavor to improve their lot. If collectively, we remain morons, then we shall be saddled with a government, not of our own devise nor design.

Madame M.

[IconoclastIlene]

12. Shooting in foot season. I hope the Democrats take care.

The goings on in the world and the need for maintaining status quo during uncertain times could undermine the Democrats at any time. I hope that every takes notice at the first salvo by the prez today; Can you trust the Dems in times such as these?

Oh boy, here it comes.

[no name no slogan]

11. McGovern shot himself in the foot and Nixon was a crook

He was riding high going into the Miami convention, but then he appointed a party hack like Tom Eagleton to be his VP running mate-- which alienated his idealistic "grassroots" supporters, and proved to them he was just like any other politician.

And then, when word leaked about Eagleton's mental problems, McG dropped him like a flaming turd. Thus, further alienating anybody who still thought he was "different" from the Humphrey/Muskie/Daly axis.

McGovern didn't lose because he was "soft on communism" or appeared to be a "wimp". He lost because of Nixon's dirty tricks and illegal tactics and his own campaign's missteps.