McGovern endorsement will help Clinton in Iowa (The Nation)

[calteacherguy]

The sense that New York Senator Hillary Clinton presidential campaign is going from strength to strength grew Sunday as a new Des Moines Register poll showed her moving into the lead in the first caucus state of Iowa. And Clinton's position there got a boost over the weekend as Iowa Democrats who still doubt her anti-war credentials were reassured by none other than 1972 Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern.

<snip>

McGovern argues that there are few "mistake-free" candidates and says that Clintonhas moved toward what he sees as a "pretty good" position on the war. "She knows that's its gotta be ended," the former senator says. "She said if by any chance Bush were to continue the war that after 2008 she'd terminate it. That's about all you can expect."

<snip>

The Register poll has long been the most respected in Iowa. More consistently correct in its assessments than most, in large part because it is constructed to measure signals of strength in the complex caucus process, the survey offered Clinton a good measure of encouragement.

Clinton now leads by a comfortable margin among likely caucusgoers aged 55 and older, who historically have been the steadiest presence at the state's caucuses. She also leads among likely caucusgoers in union households, displacing Edwards as the favorite pick of labor-linked voters.

<snip>

"She seems to have a greater feel for the problems of the country. She gets stronger all the time," McGovern told the crowd at an Iowa City Democratic event that drew a crowd estimated at 1,800 people. "I think that if we can elect her president, she'll be a greater president even than her brilliant husband."

McGovern, who had once seemed to be leaning toward Obama, praised the Illinois senator and spoke well of Edwards, but concluded, "We have an old rule of courtesy in the United States: Ladies first."

<snip>

The former senator remains an exceptionally well-regarded figure among liberals in Iowa and other states of the upper-Midwest.

<snip>

When the former senator appeared at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, the crowd delivered what was easily the noisiest ovation of the day that featured remarks by Clinton, Edwards, Dodd, Kucinich, Richardson and actor Forest Whitaker, who spoke on behalf of Obama.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=240861

[Purveyor]

1. I love George McGovern, first campaign I ever participated in yet not old enough to vote.

I'm saddened at his endorsement.

He did loose his wife, Eleanor, after 64 years of marriage this past January.

From experience, I know that takes a toll on ones thought process, indeed!

Godspeed George.

[Peregrine Took]

3. I wonder what the "back story" is - something wierd here. n/t

[MGKrebs]

4. Hillary worked for him to.

In Texas.

[MonkeyFunk]

8. I think it's really sad

that so many here can't take his endorsement at face value, and have to consider him senile or under some sort of distress.

He thinks Clinton is the best of the bunch - cope with it.

[ShortnFiery]

9. "I'm saddened at his endorsement."

That makes two of us. IMO, George McGovern is a true American Patriot. I fear his advisers may not be giving him the "full story" about HRC's DLC and other back channel corporate backers. :shrug:

[AZ Criminal JD]

11. If he had endorsed your candidtate

would you have then pointed out how the death of his wife made him think so clearly about the future?

[Nedsdag]

2. Ladies first?

White ladies first I guess.

[cali]

5. Aside from the fact that this was just a joke

I'm unaware that a minority woman is running this year.

[dragonlady]

6. Remember Shirley Chisholm and Carol Mosely-Braun n/t

[cali]

7. Which is precisely why I wrote: "this year" in my post. Or did

you miss that?

[dragonlady]

14. Yes, I read your post

We can remember two courageous Democratic ladies separate and apart from your post.

[illinoisprogressive]

10. People dont' care about endorsements. Most don't care

[AZ Criminal JD]

13. If that is true then it would seem Obama has wasted his time

trotting out people in Iowa and South Carolina and elsewhere who have endorsed him.

[H2O Man]

12. That's an important endorsement.

I'm impressed.