1972

George S. McGovern
Candidate
Popular
Electoral
Richard M. Nixon
Republican
47,170,179
520
George S. McGovern
Democrat
29,171,791
17

George S. McGovern
from the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
(public domain)
Paul Pundit, Peter Pollster, and Eric Expert

47A-1067156

It Vanished Quite Slowly...

47B-1067157

How Can You Electioneer This close to the Polling Booth?

47C-1067158

Can I Count on Your Support - Four More Years?

47D-1067159

Jules Feiffer parodied the myriad issues that flooded the 1972 election (47A-1067156). The major issue was, again, the Viet Nam war, and here Nixon is criticized for his supposed plans for peace (47B-106715747C-1067158). This cartoon from the Daily Worldattacks Nixon for the promise of peace in Viet Nam that he made before his election in 1968 and did not fulfill (47D-1067159). Andrews, the cartoonist, lets Nixon's own words tell the story, using a motif almost identical to one used in a cartoon depicting Zachary Taylor in 1848.????

McGovern had difficulty getting his campaign beyond the choice of a vice president (47E-106716047E2-1067174). His choice of Thomas Eagleton was rescinded after it was discovered that he had a record of psychiatric treatment. McGovern finally settled on Sergeant Shriver (47F-1067161). But Democratic backing for their ticket was hardly enthusiastic, especially from Chicago Mayor Daley (47G-106716247H-1067163). In addition, McGovern was criticized for his supposed naivete and idealism (47I-1067164). Gary Trudeau uses the now-familiar technique of caricaturing the candidate's supporters to get across the same idea (47J-106716547K-1067166).

On the other hand, Nixon was already embroiled in insinuations of dirty dealings in the government and more allegations of monarchism (47L-106716747M-106716847N1-106716947N2-106717047P-1067171). The cover-up of the crimes committed by high-ranking members of the Committee for the Re-election of the President, "CREEP," was so effective however, that they had little effect on the election. Here is one cartoonist's view of the "packaging job" done to Nixon by John Mitchell, his campaign manager (47Q-1067175). Nixon was also accused of prostituting the ideals of democracy for big business(47R-1067172). But in the final count, the voters turned down McGovern's indeterminacy and re-elected Richard Nixon by the greatest majority in history, only to demand, two years later, his resignation because of the illegal campaign activities carried on with his knowledge by "CREEP."

Related Links:
Jules Feiffer. Feiffer's website.

Jules Feiffer (Wikipedia)

A Man Who Makes Us Worry.
Article by Harry L. Katz (Library of Congress Information Bulletin, November 4, 1996).

John Fischetti (Wikipedia)

John Fischetti Editorial Cartoon Competition

Oliver Harrington.
From the African American Registry.

Oliver H. Harrington.
From answers.com.

Ollie Harrington (Wikipedia)

Richard C. Hess obituary.
From the New York Times (August 9, 1991).

Richard Hess.
From the Art Directors Club, 1991 Hall of Fame.

Bio of Ranan Lurie.
From CartooNews.com

Interview with Ranan Lurie.
From Diva International.

Oliphant's Anthem: Pat Oliphant at the Library of Congress.
A Library of Congress exhibit.

Pat Oliphant. From Slate.

Doonesbury@Slate--35th Anniversary.
From Slate.

Garry Trudeau biography.
From the Universal Press Syndicate.

Garry Trudeau profile.
From The Cartoon Zone.