McGovern at Bridwell

Former senator and 1972 presidential candidate George McGovernspoke on religion, war, abortion, gay marriage, baseball,alcoholism – and, of course, politics — to a packedCaruth Auditorium Thursday night.

Audience members were lined up half an hour before the 7:30 p.m.lecture to listen to McGovern speak as part of the “FromGeorge to George” exhibit at the Bridwell Library thatcontains memorabilia from presidential elections dating from1789.

Biographer Tom Knock introduced McGovern as a decorated B-24bomber pilot, director of President Kennedy’s Food for PeaceProgram and a recipient of the Medal of Freedom.

McGovern drew applause from the audience several times duringhis speech on issues such as terrorism, abortion and gaymarriage.

“Maybe if I were running for office I wouldn’t makea speech like this, but I’m not running so I’ll saywhat I damn well please,” McGovern said.

He said that he thinks the United State might be the victim ofanother terrorist attack some day, but that there are other dangersnational political leaders are ignoring.

The number of Americans killed by terrorists won’t be”anything like the number of people killed on our highwaysand certainly not anything like the number killed byalcohol,” he said, later tearing up when talking about thealcohol-related death of his daughter.

“I hope people won’t get a fixation on the desertband Osama bin Laden put together and figure out why so many peopleacross the Arab world despise us,” he said.

McGovern also disagreed with President Bush that terrorists arecowards who hate our freedom.

“I’ve been a bomber pilot, and no coward flies aplane into a skyscraper knowing he’s going to be the first todie … there are other causes” for terrorism.

McGovern, who was a strong voice of opposition to the VietnamWar, opposes the war in Iraq. He doesn’t think eitherpresidential candidate could manage it well.

“The quicker we can get out of it, the better,” hesaid while blaming the neoconservatives for getting America intotoo many wars.

The native South Dakotan chastised politicians today about theircampaign tactics, saying he was disturbed by the high number thatclaim God is on their side. He also questioned the frequent use ofthe term “values.”

“Many conservative people who say the federal governmentis too strong are the same people who want decisions resolved inWashington rather then their own neighborhood,” he said.

Abortion is a personal issue, not a governmental one, he said.He also agrees with gay marriage.

“If two people love each other, are living together, andare having sex – I’m old-fashioned. I think they oughtto get married,” he said.

On a lighter note, McGovern began the lecture with severalanecdotal stories about his experiences in the Senate and ajokingly mournful tone for his favorite baseball team, the St.Louis Cardinals.

“If someone had to win I’m glad it’s Boston;they know how to vote in presidential elections,” hesaid.

Massachusetts was the only state he carried in the 1972elections.

The lecture drew a mix of students, faculty and members of thecommunity.

Sophomore political science major Brita Andercheck attended thelast “From George to George” lecture with DavidEisenhower.

“McGovern is always controversial, which should beinteresting on a campus like this,” she said.

Rebecca Greenan, the director of the public service program atSMU’s law school, first saw McGovern in South Dakota when shewas 19. She got a chance to talk to the former senator after thelecture.

“My brother had gone to Vietnam and Senator McGovern was astrong voice for bringing the troops home,” she said.”He did tremendous good work for the state.”