Daschle: McGovern Gave Democrats Hope

by Associated Press
October 26, 2012 2:50 PM


Former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle says he and hundreds of other Democratic party candidates can thank George McGovern for giving them the courage to run.
 
Daschle spoke about the former U.S. senator and three-time presidential candidate during McGovern's funeral service on Friday in Sioux Falls. McGovern died Sunday at age 90.
 
Daschle said that until McGovern, the idea of getting elected as a Democrat in conservative South Dakota seemed as likely as Martians landing in the front yard.
 
Daschle said the fact that McGovern won both the House and Senate expanded the hopes and aspirations of hundreds of Democratic candidates in South Dakota and beyond.
 
Daschle said he had never known anyone who preached the gospel as effectively and in such a variety of ways as McGovern.

Former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart says George McGovern was stronger than any political label, despite his critics' attempts to dismiss him as a liberal.
 
Hart spoke at McGovern's funeral service Friday. Hart had had served as manager for ex-U.S. Sen. George McGovern's failed 1972 presidential campaign.
 
Hart says many people uncomfortable with McGovern called him a liberal as an insult implying he was weak. But Hart says "liberals," in the sense critics intended, did not get elected and re-elected in conservative states such as South Dakota or fly dangerous bomber missions in defense of the country.
 
McGovern flew bombing runs over Europe during World War II.
 
Hart called McGovern "a voice of conscience for our nation in our time."