The 1972 Election Explained

Hughes slams down some groovy 1970's political science content for students sweating it out out in an AP Gov course, students lost in an intro to political science class or just people clicking buttons online who landed here.

[scottaznavourian]

When watergate blew up a bumper sticker was made with a picture of nixon and a caption 'dont blame me. Im from massachusetts'

[mattfaustini]

Great video. One big thing that is not mentioned though is that after 68 McGovern leads the process the change how nominees are selected. 72 is the first time that the voters truly decide a party nominee and since McGovern wrote the rules he was at a true advantage in the system that the Democratic party still pretty much uses today. Although the party added superdelegates in 84 to prevent someone like McGovern from ever becoming the nominee again.

[Derekrife]

You forgot to mention Eagleton, which I think is the biggest factor in McGovern's loss. His VP pick was a guy who went through shock therapy and once that was released to the press (hours after accepting the nomination) it threw McGovern's general election into disarray.

[iknowuare]

The picture of Elvis and Nixon is just great :)

[larry]

Voted for George knowing full well he'd lose. Last time I didn't enter a voting booth holding my nose

[lynntempleton]

My first Presidential vote...I voted for McGovern....maybe my proudest vote.

[CameronMcRae]

Hey Keith I'm curious to know who you think would have won in a hypothetical election between Barry Goldwater and George McGovern. I think McGovern would just edge it out. Love your videos

[KevinPower]

Richard Nixon actually governed somewhat economically moderate to left, but was socially moderate to conservative.

[lumpydark]

You should have talked about the 1972 democratic primary, that one is so crazy.

[michaelpisciarino]

1:44 George McGovern
WaterGate
3:47 John Dean
4:41 George “Hippy (?)” McGovern

SILENT MAJORITY SWEEP 🧹

[hiphughes]

Me too! Way to go 1972!!!! Ditto on the good day front.

[jamellfoster]

If he was cool with Elvis, I can give Nixon a few props.. As for "Deep Throat, " that conjures up all kinds of creepy stuff in my mind as I came of age in the 90s listening to the Notorious BIG & Lil Kim who coincidentally called herself "Deep Throat." Lol...

[Rippone]

"Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72" (from H. S. Thompson) is a great account on the 1972 events (from the democrats primaries to the presidential election)

[MrJohnog]

also McGovern's acceptance speech at the convention in Miami was at about 3 AM eastern time because the convention was COMPLETELY disorganized. The Democrats had opened up the rules of the convention after the debacle of 1968 Chicago. They let EVERYONE have their say and vote on every slight little amendment and it took all night long and finally old Georgie came up to give his big speech and all one heard was crickets and snoring :) It was a flop, needless to say. The Nixon people were cheering

[GTAPlayer]

As a progressive, this is a big one for me...

[bansijones]

Love the show, but why can't you wear a lav mic? You deserve better sound.

[SillyGoose]

I think the movies name my history showed back when I was in high school (90s) was "all the Kings men" about Woodward and Bernstein and watergate

[umikousaka]

Very belated, I know... but while I'm sure the comments below are already out pointing Eagleton's "circumstances", the far more scandalous thing imo is that he was actually the source of the attack slogan "amnesty, abortion, and acid" (granted his actual quote was amnesty, abortion, and the legalization of pot iirc) - this even after he was defended "1000%" by McGovern when his "conditions" came under scrutiny (even if he had to be dropped later). The Democratic party establishment really didn't like McGovern and even ended up giving the Republican campaign free ammunition to use against him with things such as the "Anybody but McGovern" coalition and quotes such as the above.

[janicegustafson]

McGovern called for decriminalization, not legalization--and only of cannabis.

[scottaznavourian]

Fwiw we've had a republican governer for what will be 24 of the last 32 years