The McGovern Phenomenon

Now that Senator McGovern has won the California and New Jersey primaries, only some unpredictable surprise or some very predictable skullduggery can keep him from getting the Democratic nomination. By the standards of American politics as it exists in reality —by such standards as hard work, competent organization, the articulation of program, and a certain moral seriousness—McGovern deserves the nomination. Certainly, more so than any visible competitor!

Whatever may happen in the immediate future, one thing is clear: the McGovern phenomenon has already had a major impact on American politics. For what he has succeeded in doing is to bring together, more through doggedness than brilliance, that loose range of politi...