SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—Former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart says George McGovern was stronger than any political label, despite his critics’ attempts to dismiss him as a liberal.
Hart, who had served as manager for ex-U.S. Sen. George McGovern’s failed 1972 presidential campaign, spoke at McGovern’s funeral service Friday. McGovern, a three-time Democratic presidential candidate, died Sunday at age 90.
Hart says many people uncomfortable with McGovern called him a liberal as an insult implying he was weak. But Hart says McGovern was stronger than a label, particularly a demonized one.
He says “liberals,” in the sense that critics intended, did not get elected and re-elected in conservative states such as South Dakota or fly dangerous bomber missions in defense of the country.
McGovern flew bombing runs over Europe during World War II.
