The 2024 Democratic National Convention is taking place this week in Chicago.
Back in 1968, Democrats also held their convention in Chicago. That year, the incumbent president had decided not to seek reelection.
With Lyndon Johnson out of the picture, one of the leading contenders for the nomination that year was Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy. His anti-Vietnam War position resonated with a large segment of Americans.
Ultimately, of course, the nomination went to vice President Hubert Humphrey, who lost to Richard Nixon in the November election.
McCarthy remained in the Senate until 1970, and ran for president three more times, but never again held public office.
In 1987 McCarthy wrote a political memoir called Up ‘Til Now. When I met him that spring to talk about it, it was the first of several conversations he and I would have.
For context, in 1987 the Reagan administration was involved in the war in Nicaragua which at the time some were comparing to the quagmire of Vietnam. McCarthy talks about that, and the 1988 presidential race that would ultimately pit Vice President George H.W. Bush against Democrat Mike Dukakis.
So here now, from 1987, Eugene McCarthy.
Eugene McCarthy died in 2005 at age 89.