George McGovern

George McGovern

28 quotes

George McGovern, an American politician and historian, is widely remembered for insights that continue to resonate with readers everywhere. The range of their thinking — from War to Truth — speaks to an intellectual restlessness that shows in every quote. Discover 35 of George McGovern's most memorable quotes, ranging across War, Truth, Society, Hope, and Home. Among their most shared lines: "I did frequently refer to my war record in World War II, but not in any flamboyant way."

“The truth is that I oppose the Iraq war, just as I opposed the Vietnam War, because these two conflicts have weakened the U.S. and diminished our standing in the world and our national security.”

— George McGovern

Truth

All Quotes by George McGovern

“People didn't have the political guts to stand up against an American war.”

— George McGovern

War

“I've come to realize that protecting freedom of choice in our everyday lives is essential to maintaining a healthy civil society.”

— George McGovern

Freedom

“I did frequently refer to my war record in World War II, but not in any flamboyant way.”

— George McGovern

War

“Democrats believe that the federal government is not our enemy, it's our partner.”

— George McGovern

Government

“I think the country's getting disgusted with Washington partly because of the decline of civility in government.”

— George McGovern

Government

“I hope someday we will be able to proclaim that we have banished hunger in the United States, and that we've been able to bring nutrition and health to the whole world.”

— George McGovern

Health

“It's a tough thing, to know what to do about a war that deep in your gut you feel is wrong and yet watch your peers going off to fight in that war.”

— George McGovern

War

“When I was in the war, I was lucky that I was in a plane and never saw the carnage close-up.”

— George McGovern

War

“I seek to call America home to those principles that gave us birth.”

— George McGovern

Home

“I thought the Vietnam war was an utter, unmitigated disaster, so it was very hard for me to say anything good about it.”

— George McGovern

War

“I would not plan to base my campaign primarily on opposition to the war in the Persian Gulf.”

— George McGovern

War

“I wish I had known more firsthand about the concerns and problems of American businesspeople while I was a U.S. senator and later a presidential nominee. That knowledge would have made me a better legislator and a more worthy aspirant to the White House.”

— George McGovern

Knowledge

“I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.”

— George McGovern

Men

“I hope I live long enough to see every hungry school child in the world being fed under the so-called McGovern-Dole program.”

— George McGovern

Hope

“There is a strong tendency in the United States to rally round the flag and their troops, no matter how mistaken the war.”

— George McGovern

War

“I think it was my study of history that convinced me that the Democratic Party was more on the side of the average American.”

— George McGovern

History

“Politics is an act of faith you have to show some kind of confidence in the intellectual and moral capacity of the public.”

— George McGovern

Faith

“I make one pledge above all others - to seek and speak the truth with all the resources of mind and spirit I command.”

— George McGovern

Truth

“My dad was a Methodist minister.”

— George McGovern

Dad

“I always thought of myself as a moderate liberal, a fighter for peace and justice. I never thought of myself as being all that far out.”

— George McGovern

Peace