Eleanor McGovern, 85; wife of '72 presidential nominee (past away)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-mcgovern26jan26,1,6019340.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california

Eleanor McGovern, 85; wife of '72 presidential nominee

Eleanor McGovern, 85; wife of '72 presidential nominee
By Jocelyn Y. Stewart, Times Staff Writer
January 26, 2007

At a time in U.S. history when the wives of presidential candidates usually campaigned with their men, Eleanor McGovern stumped for her husband alone.

It was 1972, and then-Sen. George McGovern was the Democratic nominee for president. His wife, the second daughter of a politically active family in South Dakota, had no plans to be an "innocuous" first lady. She proved it on the campaign trail, speaking out on such issues as abortion and the Vietnam War.

By the time the campaigning was over and the vote was in, she had broken new ground and redefined the role of a candidate's wife, though her husband lost to President Nixon by a landslide.

Eleanor McGovern died of heart failure Thursday at her home in Mitchell, S.D. She was 85.

FULL story at link.

[pinto]

1. Brief article, but a nice tribute and a snapshot of politics as it was

30 some odd years ago. Thanks for the post.

[cyclezealot]

2. thanks for posting.

Check out the lead to the McGovern Library at Weslyan College. What a loss America never heeded the call to 'come home America,' nor to have another chance for a second Eleanor Roosevelt to revere. She was a beautiful woman.

[wilt the stilt]

3. her life

must be similar to barbara bush

[Raine]

4. R-I-P Eleanor

a real lady in every way. O8)

[newyawker99]

5. Rest in Peace Mrs McGovern.