South Dakota is celebrating 125 years of Statehood. Throughout the celebration, we're sharing stories on the people, places and events that make our state the Land of Infinite Variety. One of South Dakota’s most recognizable people didn’t let a very bad day on the world stage stop him from doing good in the world.
In a life of of good works and honor, the summer of 19-72 brought another distinction in the career of George Stanley McGovern. The Mitchell resident and U-S Senator received the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. His next hurdle was to defeat the incumbent, Richard Nixon in November.
You know the story by now. Nixon defeated McGovern by carrying 49 states—the challenger’s own home state failed to give him a win. That kind of defeat would give most men the desire to crawl in a hole and stay out of public life for good.
But George McGovern was not like “most men.” Born in Avon, South Dakota in July of 19-22, he ran track at Mitchell High School, and ran the controls of fighter planes in World War II. His war efforts earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. From there, he completed studies at Dakota Wesleyan University, and earned a Ph-D from Northwestern. Before running for President, he served as a state legislator and in both the U-S House and Senate.
Instead of wallowing in his 19-72 defeat, he wrote books, served as a pundit, and worked to the end of his life to help hungry children.
In his later years, McGovern was treasured for—being George McGovern. He appeared on a local taping of NPR’s “Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me,” and treated the world to his dry sense of humor while chatting with show host Peter Sagal.
Sagal said, “Something that was interesting, that was pertinent this week—is that President Nixon refused to debate you.”
McGovern replied, “That’s correct.”
Sagal countered with “What reason did he give?”
McGovern's answer: "I think he was terrified.”
McGovern also hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, using the monologue to poke gentle fun at himself and his performance in the 1972 Presidential Election. Another memorable evening was spent with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, as he read the words of President Abraham Lincoln.
McGovern read, “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise to the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. And then, we must disenthrall ourselves, and we will save our country.”
McGovern’s later life was tragic—with the loss of a daughter and his beloved wife, Eleanor. It was also very busy, with speaking engagements, television appearances, and several books. Who better to sum up 90 active years—and what comes next—than the guest of honor at his 90th birthday party.
McGovern reflected, “Well, I must say, this is a birthday I’ll never forget—the only problem with being 90 years old is, you keep looking for old friends who have passed on to the world beyond. I have no idea what’s out there, but I somehow feel that it’s gonna be okay.”
George McGovern lived a life that reflects his boyhood state; he worked hard, did what he had do to and what he thought was the right thing; and didn’t let one really bad event prevent him from trying to make the world better.