I just finished watching a fascinating documentary on George McGovern

[Reverend_Smitty]

It's called "One Bright Shining Moment: The Forgotten Summer of George McGovern" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468528/. Basically it traced McGovern's life story up to the 72 election. I wasn't born yet in 72 so I have no first hand knowledge of that point in history but watching it, it made me really sad to see such a great man suffer that kind of defeat at the hands of that slime ball Nixon. Really it was the Democratic party that did him in, they were unable to break away from the old school party bosses and embrace a great progressive candidate. I think whatever life the Democratic party had left after 68, it was snuffed out in 72 and we've never really recovered. It's sad to think that that great optimism that Kennedy ushered in during the early 60's was completely gone a decade later.

[thefool_wa]

1. Another great documentary (book) of that campaign

Is "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72"

Dr. Thompson is the master!

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. Thats one book that I never got around to reading

but it is on my list, although I might have to pick it up this week after seeing this movie

[thefool_wa]

4. I was hard for me to get through

Mostly because the whole thing was 2 years before I was born and i have no real detailed knowledge of the political specifics from that era. Took 3 tries over 6 years for me to finish it.

[Radical Activist]

3. I saw that too

Great documentary! Also very good for me since I wasn't born yet either. We have the same thing going on today where party establishment types like to sit on their hands and do nothing when liberals get nominated. It happens in a lot of local and state parties. Its happening in Illinois this year.

[Reverend_Smitty]

5. It's frustrating as hell

because you know any good progressive candidate won't get the chance because his or her own party will do everything in it's power to stop them. I just loved the clips that they showed of the convention, the first time real American's had the opportunity to choose their own candidate. It truly was one shining moment where real change could have happened.