I might have supported Muskie tactically (especially with hindsight...), but McGovern was clearly the best candidate.
Why? He was drug addled. and had serious issues with his mental health (His breakdown in Manchester is evidence of this), and why more with hindsight?
I am by no means a fan of Muskie, but none of that was true. The man was not crying at all; those were snowflakes. This is all documented. Don't buy into the Nixonian spin.
What about the incident on the Sunshine Express in Florida when the guy who pretended to be Hunter S. Thompson heckled Muskie and then he broke down? (Read Fear and Loathing to understand)
I read the book, and I still don't understand why you believe Muskie was addicted to Igobaine. That was Hunter Thompson being Hunter Thompson: hilarious and cynical. And Muskie hardly broke down on the heckler; he gave him the business like any decent politician should do. I love it when politicians get heckled like any easily excited teenager, but I don’t blame the heckled politician for responding either. Muskie was did what I would have done, and as much as I detest Muskie, this is no reason to write him off.
I love that Guntaker doesn't know what gonzo journalism entails.
^^^^