South Dakota Senator George S. McGovern, who opposed the Vietnam War and was crushed by Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election, died Sunday. He was 90.
McGovern's family spokesman Steve Hildebrand told The Associated Press that McGovern died surrounded by family and lifelong friends.
"We are blessed to know that our father lived a long, successful and productive life advocating for the hungry, being a progressive voice for millions and fighting for peace," his family sad in a statement.
McGovern, a bomber pilot during World War II, made opposition to the Vietnam War a centerpieces of his campaign challenging President Richard M. Nixon. He suffered a massive defeat in the popular vote and electoral college.
Ironically, in 1974, Nixon became the only president to resign his office after the unfolding Watergate scandal revealed a host of illegal activities by his Committe to Reelect the President, with the acronym CRP, later mocked as "CREEP."
The Argus Leader newspaper in McGovern's home city of Sioux Falls has a moving obituary and video of the senior statesman.
Do you remember those days? What did you think then and what do you think now? If McGovern, Watergate, Vietnam and the 1972 election are just history to you, what do those events teach us today?
