Democratic National Convention George McGovern presidential campaign, 1972

the new rules choosing , seating delegates created unusual number of rules , credentials challenges. many traditional democratic groups such organized labor , urban constituents had small representation @ convention. supporters challenged seating of relative political novices, part turned supporters of mcgovern, during presidential primaries had amassed delegates convention using grassroots campaign powered opposition vietnam war. many traditional democratic leaders , politicians felt mcgovern s delegate count did not reflect wishes of democratic voters. georgia governor jimmy carter helped spearhead stop mcgovern campaign.

the stop-mcgovern forces tried unsuccessfully alter delegate composition of california delegation. california primary winner-take-all, contrary delegate selection rules; while mcgovern won california primary 5% electoral margin, took 273 of delegates convention. although anti-mcgovern group argued proportional distribution of delegates, mcgovern campaign stressed rules delegate selection had been set , stop mcgovern alliance trying change rules after game. maneuvering mcgovern campaign ensued during convention sought ensure democratic nomination despite attempts humphrey campaign , other candidates block mcgovern. credential fight, mcgovern s army carried day, handing nomination mcgovern.

the illinois primary required voters select individual delegates, not presidential candidates. illinois delegation members uncommitted , controlled or influenced chicago mayor , cook county democratic party chairman richard j. daley. delegation challenged mcgovern supporters arguing results of primary did not create diverse enough delegation in terms of women , minorities. credentials committee, headed patricia roberts harris, rejected entire elected delegation, including elected women , minorities, , seated unelected delegation led chicago alderman william s. singer , civil rights activist jesse jackson pledged mcgovern.

mcgovern secured enough delegates 1972 democratic national convention win party s nomination.

most polls showed mcgovern running behind incumbent president richard nixon, except when mcgovern paired massachusetts senator ted kennedy. mcgovern , campaign brain trust lobbied senator kennedy heavily accept bid mcgovern s running mate. surprise, continually refused advances, , instead suggested such figures house ways , means committee chairman wilbur mills of arkansas , boston mayor kevin white.

thereafter, number of high-profile democrats, including senator ted kennedy, senator walter mondale, former vice president hubert humphrey, senator edmund muskie, senator abe ribicoff , senator birch bayh turned down offers run on ticket.

nevertheless, mcgovern , staff felt kennedy-style figure needed balance ticket: urban catholic leader strong ties organized labor , other working-to-lower middle class constituencies. mcgovern informed kennedy considering kevin white, had informed mcgovern available. belying previous support, kennedy vetoed white when massachusetts delegation threatened boycott convention due white s previous endorsement of muskie.

once became apparent white s candidacy infeasible, mcgovern asked senator gaylord nelson running mate. nelson declined suggested senator thomas eagleton of missouri, whom mcgovern chose. mcgovern s team conducted minimal vetting of eagleton senator had been recommended many of prospective running mates.

eagleton relatively unknown many of delegates. this, along inexperience of many of delegates wary after protracted infighting, caused vice presidential balloting become farce. in addition eagleton, delegates insisted on nominating 7 other candidates vice president, including senator mike gravel of alaska, former massachusetts governor endicott peabody , frances sissy farenthold of texas house of representatives. time roll call began, delegates in prankish mood, casting ballots fictional archie bunker, martha beall mitchell, new mexico lt. governor roberto mondragon, , cbs-tv s roger mudd.

with hundreds of delegates either actively supporting nixon or angry @ mcgovern 1 reason or another, vote chaotic, votes scattered on 70 candidates. eventual winner eagleton, accepted nomination despite not knowing mcgovern well, , privately disagreeing many of mcgovern s policies.

eventually, eagleton secured nomination last-day-of-school atmosphere of proceedings dragged out process. when eagleton @ last confirmed, 1:40 a.m. delay forced acceptance speeches of candidates given past television prime time hours; mcgovern , eagleton delivered acceptance speeches @ around 3 a.m. hurt mcgovern campaign not creating so-called convention bounce.