1972 United States Presidential Election

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Here we are dawgs. 1972. McGovern has ended the Vietnam War and has met with the Soviets in order to discuss the passage of a Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. However, he faces domestic troubles over a recession caused by anti-inflationary policies and protests over his stance on busing. The Republican party, in a faint hearted attempt to appeal to folks outside of their typical supporters, have nominated an exact replica of McGovern, but for the fact that he may be more liberal than the sitting President. I'm not entirely sure what issues they'd disagree on, though abortion may be one, and I believe McCloskey has a very committed liberal record in regards to foreign policy, environmental, and social issues. Now comes the interesting part. George Wallace is again running a third party campaign for President, and the Universal Party has returned for a second go. The Libertarian party, headed by writer John Hospers, is itself making its debut on the national stage in this election as well. It's your choice, dawgs.

Democratic Primaries

Red - President George S. McGovern of South Dakota
Yellow - Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm of New York
Blue - Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota
Green - Governor George C. Wallace of Alabama

Republican Primaries

Green - Congressman Paul N. "Pete" McCloskey of California
Blue - Congressman John Ashbrook of Ohio

[Antonio the Sixth]

The Universal Party having received no vote, it shouldn't be included in the general ballot.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

The Universal Party having received no vote, it shouldn't be included in the general ballot.

And I voted for McGovern

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

The president.

[fezzyfestoon]

The president.

[Goldwater]

Actually, McCloskey and McGovern are both pro-choice.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Actually, McCloskey and McGovern are both pro-choice.

I recall reading something that would indicate McGovern was a bit more conflicted on the issue, and I believe TNF made a reference to him having a "states rights position". When I wrote that, it was meant to state that McCloskey was to McGovern's left on abortion.

[Maxwell]

Let's go McGovern!

[OAM]

Actually, McCloskey and McGovern are both pro-choice.

McGovern was the last pro-life democratic candidate.

[Kitteh]

Actually, McCloskey and McGovern are both pro-choice.

McGovern was the last pro-life democratic candidate.

No, his running mate (Sargent Shriver) was. There's a reason Nixon attacked him on "amnesty, abortion, and acid".

[Goldwater]

After some thought, I decided to vote for Green. I see no reason to vote for a Republican who's basically the same as the Democrat.

[Dr. Cynic]

I voted for McCloskey because f-u for not picking Humphrey

[Napoleon]

The president.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Actually, McCloskey and McGovern are both pro-choice.

McGovern was the last pro-life democratic candidate.

No, his running mate (Sargent Shriver) was. There's a reason Nixon attacked him on "amnesty, abortion, and acid".

That phrase was a quip from a fellow Democrat about McGovern's supporters.

[Incipimus iterum]

Wallace

[Gass3268]

The president.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

63% McGovern (5/8), 13% each for Wallace, McCloskey, and Flying Saucer Man. (1/8 each)

[Cryptic]

Let's go McGovern!

[TNF]

McGovern had a federalist position on abortion, for those wondering. Shriver was indeed pro-life.

Fun fact - I think Gerald Ford was the last pro-choice GOP candidate, though I might be wrong.


Anyway, McGovern.

[Kitteh]

The thing is, you have to remember that the context for abortion politics in the pre-Roe era was vastly different than that of the post-Roe era. Prior to Roe v. Wade, allowing states to decide their own abortion laws was the liberal position. It was mostly a battle between conservatives who called for a federal ban on abortion and liberals who opposed a federal ban and supported decriminalizing it on a state level.  There was never a federal law banning abortion, so "supporting legal abortion at a federal/nationwide" level made no sense. McGovern's "let the states decide!" would have been a standard liberal rallying cry during the time of his campaign.

In his time as a post-Roe senator, McGovern had a strongly pro-choice record. That was one of the key issues in his failed 1980 reelection campaign, actually, where he was heavily targeted by the then-emerging Christian Right. There is really no doubt that he was solidly pro-choice, and voting for McCloskey because McGovern is insufficiently pro-choice doesn't make any sense.

[Kitteh]

That wasn't the reason I don't vote for McGovern.  The reason is he would be a terrible president, IMO.

That's fine. FWIW I hope McGovern wins but seeing as he'll probably do so easily I voted for McCloskey because I think he's a good guy and doesn't deserve to get blown out as it looks like he will. I don't encourage that other leftists do the same, obviously

[Antonio the Sixth]

That wasn't the reason I don't vote for McGovern.  The reason is he would be a terrible president, IMO.

That's fine. FWIW I hope McGovern wins but seeing as he'll probably do so easily I voted for McCloskey because I think he's a good guy and doesn't deserve to get blown out as it looks like he will. I don't encourage that other leftists do the same, obviously

You scare me. Who knows how many Dems had the same reasoning...

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

McGovern had a federalist position on abortion, for those wondering. Shriver was indeed pro-life.

Fun fact - I think Gerald Ford was the last pro-choice GOP candidate, though I might be wrong.


Anyway, McGovern.

Ford was personally pro-choice, but he supported leaving it up to the states and opposed Roe v. Wade.

And my vote is so obvious I don't need to say it.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

That wasn't the reason I don't vote for McGovern.  The reason is he would be a terrible president, IMO.

That's fine. FWIW I hope McGovern wins but seeing as he'll probably do so easily I voted for McCloskey because I think he's a good guy and doesn't deserve to get blown out as it looks like he will. I don't encourage that other leftists do the same, obviously

You scare me. Who knows how many Dems had the same reasoning...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Don't vote for the evil people because you think the good guys will win anyway. Look at 1960.

[politicallefty]

That wasn't the reason I don't vote for McGovern.  The reason is he would be a terrible president, IMO.

That's fine. FWIW I hope McGovern wins but seeing as he'll probably do so easily I voted for McCloskey because I think he's a good guy and doesn't deserve to get blown out as it looks like he will. I don't encourage that other leftists do the same, obviously

You scare me. Who knows how many Dems had the same reasoning...

I don't take anything for granted.

My vote is for McGovern.