McGovern Urges Clinton to Leave Name Out of Contention at Democratic Convention

Source: RTT News

McGovern Urges Clinton To Leave Name Out Of Contention At Democratic Convention
8/12/2008 7:16 PM ET

(RTTNews) - Former Democratic presidential contender George McGovern said Tuesday that supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., shouldn't push to have her name placed formally in nomination at the party convention in Denver.

McGovern said he "didn't see the point" of the move, which could only occur with Clinton's agreement. "We had that in '72 and it took all night. … We had all kinds of people nominated for vice president," McGovern said. "I think all that would do is take up a lot of time."

As a result of the chaotic floor fight at the 1972 convention, McGovern said he wasn't able to give his acceptance speech, "probably the best speech I ever gave," until about 3 a.m. That meant he missed an opportunity to introduce himself to the nation so, McGovern said, the first time most Americans saw him was two weeks into the race, amid the revelation that his running mate, Thomas Eagleton, had received electroshock therapy.

McGovern said he has "always thought" that had he been able to give a prime-time acceptance speech, he would have been better able to weather that controversy, which many saw as contributing to his landslide loss to President Nixon.

As one of the architects of the present Democratic nominating system, McGovern also said he didn't see a problem with this year's extended contest which ultimately came down to Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. He noted that as a relatively unknown candidate he'd needed two years of campaigning to clinch the 1972 nomination. "I don't ever think these long races are all that bad," McGovern said. "I had a hard time deciding between Hillary and Barack. … I think it was worth the wait."

Read more: http://www.rttnews.com/Content/PoliticalNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=683250

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and a second w/just Obama?

Why make her supporters unhappy?

No it's just a way to weasel her way in to steal the spotlight from our nominee. I'm done with this bullshit and don't think it should be tolerated.

It will cement her place not as an "also ran" but as the next best choice.

it's not usually done that way.

Counting the final tally, and working out a platform. Obama has the numbers. We know that. Why doesn't he want a floor count? I speculate that it has to do with the super delegates having to officially vote for either Hillary or Obama. They really don't want people to know who they are voting for.

read their vitriolic hate filled blog comments. I have. To get HRC in 2012 they need an Obama loss.

....since Obama is already assured the nomination he could gain much goodwill by allowing Hillary her due and gain the full support of her supporters. What could it hurt? And what can be hurt if he doesn't? A lot. It is stupid to deny her the charade. Those that say everyone line up behind Obama OR ELSE trouble me as it can cause great harm in the end.

Hilary and supporters please respect this giant's wishes. my first vote and to this day it is my proudest vote.