Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

McGovern: Save the Party, Campaign Together

Former Democratic nominee proposes joint tour to heal rift

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2008 9:13 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Divisions among Democrats have killed the party’s presidential chances on more than one occasion, and it must not happen this time, writes George McGovern in the New York Times . The 1972 Democratic nominee—who recently switched his endorsement to Barack Obama—offers a plan to unite the party: Obama and Hillary Clinton should campaign side-by-side in the remaining states, outlining their plans for the country without attacking each other.

This Democratic tour should also include Florida and Michigan, McGovern writes, where regardless of the fate of delegates, “voters are entitled to see and to hear these two historic candidates.” The Dems can’t afford to waste “two of the most talented candidates for high office this country has ever produced” over a party rift like the one that ruined McGovern’s own chances in 1972.

In this Oct. 6, 2007 file photo, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., poses with former Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern in Iowa City, Iowa.
In this Oct. 6, 2007 file photo, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., poses with former Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern in Iowa City, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
In this file photo from April 13, 2008, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shakes hands with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as they participate in a Compassion Forum at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa.
In this file photo from April 13, 2008, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shakes hands with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as they participate in a Compassion Forum at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pa.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrive on stage for a debate at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, in this Feb. 26, 2008, file photo.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrive on stage for a debate at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, in this Feb. 26, 2008, file photo.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, file)
In this Oct. 6, 2007, file photo former Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern stands backstage before introducing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in Iowa City, Iowa.
In this Oct. 6, 2007, file photo former Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern stands backstage before introducing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in Iowa City, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

McGovern: Clinton should drop out
AFP

Clinton fights on in West Virginia and Kentucky
New York Times

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • George McGovern • Democratic Party • Election 2008

More Newser Stories

Dems, Still Bruised, Open Convention

Noonan to Dems: You Dodged a Bullet

Hillary Win Leaves Dems Unmoved, Barack Weaker

McGovern? Hart? Dems May Yet Repeat Sorry History

Long Fight Threatens Dems
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne