George McGovern Remembered By Democrats

by Jeff Rusack, Reporter
October 22, 2012 6:05 PM


A Day after the passing of George McGovern, democrats in the state mourn the life of a man who provided so much for his political party.     

“I have fond memories and I'm inspired as so many others are by his service to the public,” said Senator Tim Johnson.

“Almost every significant democratic leader in this state and many of them nationally trace their involvement back to McGovern,” said former Chief of Staff to the last democratic governor in South Dakota, Ted Muenster.     

As political ads bombard the airwaves with Election Day looming democrats remember McGovern as a man who treated politicians well on both sides of the aisle

“He respected his political opponents. I think that's something that we don't have a lot of today. He understood the conservative tradition in this country and spoke well of it,” said Muenster.

With South Dakota having such a politically conservative track record, democrats credit McGovern with reviving the Democratic Party in the 1950's.      

“He built the party single handedly we owe a lot to George McGovern,” said Senator Johnson.

While, Senator McGovern failed to win South Dakota in the 1972 presidential election.

 “I think it was very disappointing to him that he lost South Dakota,” said Muenster.  

Democrats feel McGovern's legacy will out last that of his opponent.    

“I think George McGovern's contributions will live longer and greater than Richard Nixon's,” said Muenster.     

“We owe it all to him that the party made it as far as it could,” said Sen. Johnson.

In life, George McGovern inspired democrats, young and old. In death, politicians hope his legacy will continue to inspire in and out of the political realm.