1972 Democratic Party presidential primaries explained

Election Name:1972 Democratic Party presidential primaries
Country:United States
Type:primary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries
Previous Year:1968
Election Date:January 24 to June 20, 1972
Next Election:1976 Democratic Party presidential primaries
Next Year:1976
Votes For Election:3,014 delegates to the 1972 Democratic National Convention
Needed Votes:1,509 delegate
Colour1:ff0000
Candidate1:George McGovern
Home State1:South Dakota
Delegate Count1:1,319.55
States Carried1:16
Popular Vote1:4,053,451
Percentage1:25.00%
Candidate2:George Wallace
Colour2:008000
Home State2:Alabama
Delegate Count2:371
States Carried2:7
Popular Vote2:3,755,424
Percentage2:23.17%
Image3:Hubert Humphrey 1968 DNC.jpg
Candidate3:Hubert Humphrey
Colour3:0000ff
Home State3:Minnesota
Delegate Count3:345.85
States Carried3:5
Popular Vote3:4,121,372
Percentage3:25.42%
Image4:Ed Muskie speech 1972.jpg
Candidate4:Edmund Muskie
Colour4:803300
Home State4:Maine
Delegate Count4:172.5
States Carried4:5
Popular Vote4:1,840,217
Percentage4:11.34%
Image5:Scoop Jackson (D-WA) (cropped).jpg
Candidate5:Henry M. Jackson
Colour5:6500ea
Home State5:Washington
Delegate Count5:52
States Carried5:1
Popular Vote5:505,198
Percentage5:3.11%
Image6:Terry Sanford 1961.jpg
Candidate6:Terry Sanford
Colour6:ff6600
Home State6:North Carolina
Delegate Count6:28
States Carried6:0
Popular Vote6:331,415
Percentage6:2.04%
Image7:WilburMills.jpg
Candidate7:Wilbur Mills
Colour7:00b6a4
Home State7:Arkansas
Delegate Count7:28
States Carried7:1
Popular Vote7:37,401
Percentage7:0.23%
Image8:Shirley Chisholm-cropped.jpg
Candidate8:Shirley Chisholm
Colour8:808000
Home State8:New York
Delegate Count8:22
States Carried8:1
Popular Vote8:430,703
Percentage8:2.66%
Image9:John Lindsay (cropped).jpg
Candidate9:John Lindsay
Colour9:b61b28
Home State9:New York
Delegate Count9:6
States Carried9:0
Popular Vote9:196,406
Percentage9:1.21%
Democratic nominee
Before Election:Hubert Humphrey
After Election:George McGovern
Map Size:300px

From January 24 to June 20, 1972, voters of the Democratic Party chose its nominee for president in the 1972 United States presidential election. Senator George McGovern of South Dakota was selected as the nominee through a series of primary elections, caucuses, and state party conventions, culminating in the 1972 Democratic National Convention held from July 10 to July 13, 1972, in Miami, Florida.

Background

1968 election

See main article: 1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries and 1968 United States presidential election. The 1968 election was one of the most eventful and influential in the history of the Democratic Party. The primaries were contested by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Senator Eugene McCarthy, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. In a shock, McCarthy forced the incumbent president out of the race early by his strong showing in the New Hampshire primary. Kennedy joined the race soon thereafter, and the two ran on their opposition to Johnson's handling of the Vietnam War. They traded primary victories until Kennedy was assassinated in June.

Although Kennedy and McCarthy contested the popular elections, most of the delegates in 1968 were not popularly elected. Thus, with Kennedy dead and McCarthy lacking support from the party establishment, Johnson's vice president Hubert H. Humphrey was easily nominated on the first ballot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Humphrey's nomination, the continuing Vietnam War, and the generally closed nature of the nomination process drew massive protests to Chicago; the convention was generally seen as a major embarrassment for the Party, and Humphrey went on to lose the election narrowly to Richard Nixon.

McGovern-Fraser Commission

See main article: McGovern–Fraser Commission. In response to the 1968 debacle, party leadership established a twenty-eight member committee selected by Senator Fred R. Harris to reform the presidential nomination process for 1972. The committee was led by Senator George McGovern and Representative Donald M. Fraser. After less than nine months, the committee delivered its guidelines.

The committee focused on two main principles: uniformity and equity. Guidelines required states adopt uniform, explicit delegate selection rules and weight the delegate allocation in favor of politically marginalized groups (women, blacks and those under the age of 30), including the use of quotas.

In general, the state parties complied with the McGovern-Fraser guidelines by adopting the use of primary elections, rather than delegate selection caucuses or conventions. Thus, the 1972 Democratic nomination is typically considered the first modern presidential primary campaign. Harris and McGovern, having played a direct role in the reforms and having a detailed knowledge of their impact, were seen to gain an advantage as potential candidates for the nomination.

Nixon administration and 1970 midterm elections

See also: Presidency of Richard Nixon and 1970 United States elections. As 1972 approached, President Richard Nixon faced uncertain re-election prospects. Nixon had been elected on a platform to end American involvement in Vietnam, but his strategy of gradual "Vietnamization" had proceeded more slowly than planned. The Paris Peace Talks had bogged down, dimming hopes for a negotiated settlement to the war. In fact, Nixon had widened the conflict by invading Cambodia in 1970, a move that ignited criticism in the press and Congress and widespread disorder on college campuses, including the Kent State shootings in May 1970.

On the domestic front, a sharp recession had shaken investor confidence, and Nixon's plan to control inflation with wage and price controls had failed to meet its objective. The administration's attempt to steer a middle course on desegregation busing and affirmative action had displeased liberals and conservatives alike.

In the 1970 midterm elections, Democrats gained a dozen seats in the House, although their Senate majority was reduced by three seats. Their main success was not in Congress, however, but the states. Eleven different Democratic governors were elected to seats held by Republicans and not a single incumbent Democrat lost re-election.

Pre-primary maneuvering

Given Nixon's apparent weakness and the novel use of the primary system, a large field of credible Democratic challengers emerged. 14 Democrats sought their party's nomination the largest field of candidates until it was surpassed by 16 candidates in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries[1] and then 29 candidates in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries.[2]

Early speculation surrounded Senator Ted Kennedy, the brother of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy who had contested the 1968 nomination. He ruled himself out early in 1971, but nevertheless continued to lead in opinion polling. In the event of a brokered convention, some believed Kennedy could emerge as the consensus nominee. Kennedy supporters took key positions on a number of presidential campaigns, strengthening his odds of gaining the candidates' support in the event they could not secure the required delegates.[3]

With Kennedy out, the establishment favorite for the Democratic nomination was Edmund Muskie,[4] a moderate Senator who had acquitted himself well as Humphrey's running mate in 1968. In August 1971 polling amid a growing economic crisis, Muskie led Nixon.[4]

U.S. Representative Shirley Chisholm from Queens, New York, announced her candidacy in January 1972,[5] making her the first black candidate to contest a major party's nomination for president.[5] Chisholm was also the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination; she was later joined by Patsy Mink of Hawaii.

Candidates

The following politicians stood as candidates for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination:

Nominee

CandidateMost recent officeHome statedata-sort-type="date" CampaignWithdrawal datePopular voteContests wonRunning mateRef.
George McGovernU.S. Senator
from South Dakota

(1963–1981)

South Dakota
data-sort-value="0"
(Campaign)
Secured nomination: July 13, 1972
data-sort-value="4,053,451" 4,053,451
(25.3%)
data-sort-value="14" 14 Sargent Shriver
(replacing Thomas Eagleton)
[6] [7] [8]

Other major candidates

These candidates participated in multiple state primaries or were included in multiple major national polls.

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:30PlotArea = top:10 bottom:25 right:10 left:10AlignBars = early

Colors = id:canvas value:gray(0.9) id:lightline value:gray(0.8) id:darkline value:gray(0.3) id:Active value:Red # Active campaign id:Planning value:Yellow # Exploratory committee id:Withdrawn value:rgb(0.70,0.30,0.30) # Withdrawn candidate id:State value:blue

  1. Link to more colors: http://ploticus.sourceforge.net/doc/color.html

Define $today = 05/29/2023

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyyPeriod = from:11/03/1970 till:11/07/1972TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightline unit:month increment:1 start:12/01/1970ScaleMajor = gridcolor:darkline unit:year increment:1 start:01/01/1971

Backgroundcolors = canvas:canvas

BarData = bar:McGovern bar:Harris bar:Mink bar:Yorty bar:Jackson bar:McCarthy bar:Lindsay bar:Hartke bar:Muskie bar:Humphrey bar:Wallace bar:Chisholm bar:Mills bar:Sanford bar:Primaries

PlotData= width:15 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:till shift:(10,-4)

bar:McGovern from:01/18/1971 till:07/10/1972 color:Active text:"McGovern" bar:Harris from:09/24/1971 till:11/10/1971 color:Active text:"Harris" bar:Mink from:10/19/1971 till:05/24/1972 color:Active text:"Mink" bar:Jackson from:11/19/1971 till:05/02/1972 color:Active from:05/02/1972 till:07/10/1972 color:Withdrawn text:"Jackson" bar:Humphrey from:01/10/1972 till:07/10/1972 color:Active text:"Humphrey" bar:Wallace from:01/13/1972 till:07/10/1972 color:Active text:"Wallace" bar:Muskie from:01/04/1972 till:04/27/1972 color:Active from:04/27/1972 till:07/10/1972 color:Withdrawn text:"Muskie" bar:Mills from:02/11/1972 till:07/10/1972 color:Active text:"Mills" bar:Chisholm from:01/25/1972 till:07/10/1972 color:Active text:"Chisholm" bar:Sanford from:03/08/1972 till:07/10/1972 color:Active text:"Sanford" bar:Lindsay from:12/28/1971 till:04/04/1972 color:Active text:"Lindsay" bar:McCarthy from:12/17/1971 till:07/10/1972 color:Active text:"McCarthy" bar:Yorty from:11/16/1971 till:06/05/1972 color:Active text:"Yorty" bar:Hartke from:01/03/1972 till:03/26/1972 color:Active text:"Hartke" bar:Primaries from:01/24/1972 till:06/20/1972 color:State text:"Primaries/Caucuses"

LineData= layer:front at:11/08/1970 width:1 color:purple layer:front at:07/10/1972 width:4 color:pink

Declined

Favorite sons

Polling

National polling

Poll sourcePublication
GallupJan. 196921%45%15%3%17%
GallupOct. 196929%27%10%5%24%
GallupMay. 19701%1%16%10%17%9%3%23%
GallupNov. 197016%4%31%1%6%2%33%2%
GallupFeb. 197121%5%25%4%5%26%
GallupApr. 19711%1%1%18%4%2%29%2%3%5%1%21%2%
GallupApr. 19711%1%1%18%4%2%29%2%3%5%1%21%2%
GallupJul. 19712%1%1%18%3%2%22%1%6%5%1%22%1%
GallupAug. 197113%6%26%4%6%22%
Harris[35] Sep. 19711%16%7%2%26%5%4%2%19%1%
1%27%11%2%7%5%2%27%2%
GallupNov. 197119%4%6%29%5%6%24%
Harris[36] Nov. 197115%9%2%25%3%5%1%22%1%1%
25%12%2%4%6%2%27%2%1%
GallupDec. 197119%4%4%32%4%5%25%1%
34%8%5%5%8%31%1%
GallupJan. 19722%17%5%2%27%5%3%32%2%
2%29%7%3%8%3%39%2%
Harris[37] Jan. 19723%23%7%5%6%5%30%1%
GallupFeb. 19722%23%2%3%24%3%5%29%1%
3%32%5%4%4%6%35%1%
Harris[38] Feb. 19725%18%6%4%15%5%5%22%11%1%
6%21%7%3%5%8%28%12%1%
GallupMar. 19722%31%7%3%5%6%2%23%15%
3%35%8%5%6%7%2%28%1%
GallupMar. 19724%31%5%5%4%5%1%22%17%
GallupApr. 19725%30%4%3%17%1%17%19%1%
GallupMay 19723%35%3%3%20%2%11%18%
GallupMay 197226%25%26%
GallupJun. 19723%27%3%2%30%1%6%25%

Primary campaign

Hubert Humphrey made another run at the nomination, in an era when previous nominees were considered legitimate contenders even after losing a general election (Adlai Stevenson had been successful at being re-nominated by Democrats in 1956, and Nixon by the GOP in 1968). He fell just short in delegates, despite winning the popular vote in the 24 states and the District of Columbia which held preference primary and caucus elections open to the rank and file Democratic voter. His bid to contest the results of the California winner-take-all primary failed. Humphrey, like Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson, was considered the favorite of the party establishment after Muskie's withdrawal.

Alabama governor George Wallace, with his "outsider" image, did well in the South (he won every county in the Florida primary with the exception of Miami-Dade)[39] and among alienated and dissatisfied voters. What might have become a forceful campaign was cut short when Wallace was shot while campaigning, and left paralyzed in an assassination attempt by Arthur Bremer.

Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Wilbur Mills was drafted by friends and fellow Congressmen to make himself available as a candidate for the primaries. To position himself to appeal to senior citizens during the 1972 presidential campaign, Mills championed the automatic Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) to Social Security. He was not strong in the primaries and won 33 votes for president from the delegates at the 1972 Democratic National Convention which nominated Senator George McGovern.

Washington Senator Scoop Jackson was little known nationally when he first ran for president in 1972. McGovern accused Jackson of racism for his opposition to busing. Jackson's high point in the campaign was a distant third in the early Florida primary, but he failed to stand out of the pack of better-known rivals, and only made real news later in the campaign as part of the "Anybody but McGovern" coalition, that raised what would be known as the "Acid, Amnesty and Abortion" questions about McGovern. Jackson suspended active campaigning in May after a weak showing in the Ohio primary. Jackson did re-emerge at the August Democratic convention after runner-up Humphrey dropped out of the race. Jackson's name was placed in nomination by Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, and he finished second in the delegate roll call, well behind nominee McGovern.[40] [41]

March 7: New Hampshire

Prior to the New Hampshire primary, the "Canuck Letter" was published in the Manchester Union-Leader. The letter (later revealed to have been forged as part of the "dirty tricks" campaign by Nixon staffers)[42] claimed that Muskie had made disparaging remarks about French-Canadians. The paper subsequently published an attack on Muskie's wife Jane, reporting that she drank and used off-color language. Muskie made an emotional defense of his wife in a speech outside the newspaper's offices during a snowstorm. Though Muskie later stated that what had appeared to the press as tears were actually melted snowflakes, the press reported that Muskie broke down and cried.[43] Muskie did worse than expected in the primary, while McGovern came in a surprisingly close second. McGovern now had the momentum, which was well orchestrated by his campaign manager, Gary Hart.

May 15–16: Attempted Wallace assassination, Maryland, and Michigan

While campaigning in Laurel, Maryland, on May 15, 1972, Wallace was shot five times by Arthur Bremer. Three others wounded in the shooting also survived. Bremer's diary, published after his arrest as a book titled An Assassin's Diary, showed that Bremer's assassination attempt was not motivated by politics, but by a desire for fame, and that President Nixon had been a possible target. The assassination attempt left Wallace paralyzed for the rest of his life, as one of the bullets had lodged in his spinal column.

As a result of the shooting, President Nixon dispatched Secret Service protection to Representatives Shirley Chisholm and Wilbur Mills (two candidates who had not been assigned Secret Service details up to then) as well as Senator Ted Kennedy (though not running, because of his brothers John and Robert having been assassinated).[44]

Following the shooting, Wallace won the May 16 primaries in Maryland and Michigan. Wallace spoke at the Democratic National Convention from his wheelchair in Miami on July 11, 1972. Bremer was sentenced to 53 years in prison for the shooting. He served 35 years of the sentence and was released on parole on November 9, 2007.

In a widely noted article, journalist Seymour Hersh claimed that secret recordings of Nixon prove that, within hours of the assassination attempt, the president and a top aide dispatched a political operative, E. Howard Hunt, who rushed to Milwaukee with plans to surreptitiously enter Bremer's apartment and plant the campaign literature of Democratic contender George McGovern.[45] According to Hersh, Hunt aborted the operation because the FBI had sealed off Bremer's apartment prior to his arrival.

However, a 2007 analysis of the Nixon tapes by the History News Network did not turn up any evidence of the clandestine operation described by Hersh. While the tapes did show that Nixon had instructed presidential aide Charles W. Colson to anonymously spread the false rumor that there was "unmistakable evidence" that Bremer had been a "a supporter of McGovern and Kennedy", there was no apparent trace of Nixon tasking subordinates with entering Bremer's apartment to plant Democratic campaign materials.[46]

Results

Schedule

Tablemaker's Note:

DateTotal pledged
delegates
Contest
Delegates won and popular vote
Other(s)
Unpledged
January 250 (of 44)Iowa
Caucuses
(22.60%)(1.62%)-(35.50%)(1.06%)-(1.33%)--(1.41%)----(35.80%)
January 290 (of 25)Arizona
Caucuses[49]
500
102
(20.40%)
2
(0.40%)
-189
(37.80%)
2
(0.40%)
-1
(0.20%)
-118
(23.60%)
--1
(0.20%)
--85
(17.00%)
February 1225 (of 25)Arizona
State Convention[50]
5 Del.--9 Del.----6 Del.-----5 Del.
February 260 (of 44)Iowa
County Conventions[51]
3,641
983
(27.00%)
--1,409
(38.70%)
----------1,249
(34.30%)
February 2725 (of 25)Mississippi
State Convention[52] [53]
--------------25 Del.
March 720 (of 20)New Hampshire
Primary
[54]
88,854
6 Del.
33,007
(37.15%)
348
(0.39%)
175
(0.20%)
14 Del.
41,235
(46.41%)
197
(0.22%)
3,563
(4.01%)
----5,401
(6.08%)
2,417
(2.72%)
--2,511
(2.83%)
March 1140 (of 40)Georgia
District Conventions[55]
4 Del.----1 Del.5 Del.-------30 Del.
March 1481 (of 81)Florida
Primary[56]
1,264,554
78,232
(6.19%)
6 Del.
234,658
(18.56%)
75 Del.
526,651
(41.65%)
112,523
(8.90%)
170,156
(13.46%)
4,539
(0.36%)
43,989
(3.48%)
-82,386
(6.52%)
5,847
(0.46%)
2,564
(0.20%)
3,009
(0.24%)
---
March 210 (of 160)Illinois
Pres. Primary[57]
1,225,144
3,687
(0.30%)
1,476
(0.12%)
7,017
(0.57%)
766,914
(62.60%)
442
(0.04%)
-777
(0.06%)
-118
(0.01%)
444,260
(36.26%)
----453
(0.04%)
160 (of 160)Illinois
Del. Primary[58]
14 Del.--59 Del.----------87 Del.
March 2534 (of 44)Iowa
District Conventions[59]
12 Del.--14 Del.----------8 Del.
March 2932 (of 32)South Carolina
State Convention[60]
--------------32 Del.
April 467 (of 67)Wisconsin
Primary[61]
1,128,584
54 Del.
333,528
(29.55%)
13 Del.
233,748
(20.71%)
248,676
(22.03%)
115,811
(10.26%)
88,068
(7.80%)
913
(0.08%)
9,198
(0.82%)
-75,579
(6.70%)
15,543
(1.38%)
2,349
(0.21%)
766
(0.07%)
1,213
(0.11%)
-3,009
(0.27%)
April 170 (of 17)Idaho
Caucuses[62]
425
191
(44.94%)
21
(4.94%)
4
(0.94%)
76
(17.88%)
5
(1.18%)
-20
(4.71%)
-----1
(0.24%)
-107
(25.18%)
April 200 (of 12)Vermont
Caucuses[63]
1,146
504
(43.98%)
18
(1.57%)
1
(0.09%)
309
(26.96%)
1
(0.09%)
2
(0.17%)
2
(0.17%)
-------165
(14.40%)
April 25102 (of 102)Massachusetts
Primary[64]
618,516
102 Del.
325,673
(52.65%)
48,929
(7.91%)
45,807
(7.41%)
0 Del.
131,709
(21.29%)
8,499
(1.37%)
19,441
(3.14%)
0 Del.
22,398
(3.62%)
-2,107
(0.34%)
8,736
(1.41%)
646
(0.10%)
874
(0.14%)
--0 Del.
3,697
(0.60%)
0 (of 182)Pennsylvania
Pres. Primary[65]
1,374,894
280,861
(20.43%)
481,900
(35.05%)
292,437
(21.27%)
279,983
(20.36%)
38,767
(2.82%)
-336
(0.02%)
-------610
(0.04%)
182 (of 182)Pennsylvania
Del. Primary[66]
54 Del.74 Del.2 Del.40 Del.----------12 Del.
April 28–3011 (of 11)Nevada
State Convention[67]
4.95 Del.1.65 Del.------------4.40 Del.
April 290 (of 47)Kentucky
Caucuses[68]
1,944
381
(19.60%)
6
(0.31%)
22
(1.13%)
59
(3.03%)
----------1,526
(78.50%)
May 229 (of 37)Alabama
Del. Convention[69]
--23 Del.-----------6 Del.
76 (of 76)Indiana
Primary[70]
751,458
-49 Del.
354,244
(47.14%)
27 Del.
309,495
(41.19%)
87,719
(11.67%)
-----------
145 (of 153)Ohio
Primary[71] [72]
1,205,194
66 Del.
478,434
(39.70%)
74 Del.
497,538
(41.28%)
-105,903
(8.79%)
97,896
(8.12%)
----25,423
(2.11%)
----13 Del.
20 (of 20)Washington D.C.
Primary[73]
29,560
-------------20 Del.
21,217
(71.78%)
8,343
(28.22%)
May 449 (of 49)Tennessee
Primary[74]
751,458
35,551
(7.22%)
78,350
(15.90%)
49 Del.
335,858
(68.16%)
9,634
(1.96%)
5,896
(1.20%)
2,543
(0.52%)
18,809
(3.82%)
-1,476
(0.30%)
2,267
(0.46%)
692
(0.14%)
1,621
(0.33%)
--24
(0.01%)
May 5 51 (of 64)Minnesota
District Conventions[75]
14 Del.26 Del.----6 Del.--------
May 657 (of 57)North Carolina
Primary
821,410
--37 Del.
413,518
(50.34%)
30,739
(3.74%)
9,416
(1.15%)
-61,723
(7.51%)
27 Del.
306,014
(37.26%)
-------
May 922 (of 22)Nebraska
Primary[76]
192,137
18 Del.
79,309
(41.28%)
4 Del.
65,968
(34.33%)
23,912
(12.45%)
6,886
(3.58%)
5,276
(2.75%)
377
(0.20%)
1,763
(0.92%)
-1,244
(0.65%)
3,194
(1.66%)
3,459
(1.80%)
249
(0.13%)
--500
(0.26%)
0 (of 35)West Virginia
Pres. Primary[77]
368,484
-246,596
(66.92%)
121,888
(33.08%)
------------
35 (of 35)West Virginia
Del. Primary
7 Del. 14 Del. -5 Del. ----------9 Del.
May 1211 (of 11)Wyoming
State Convention[78]
0.55 Del.-------------10.45 Del.
May 133 (of 3)Canal Zone
Territorial Convention[79]
2.5 Del.-------------0.5 Del.
30 (of 35)Kansas
District Conventions[80]
12 Del.-------------18 Del.
44(of 44)Louisiana
District Conventions[81] [82]
10 Del.-3 Del.-----------32 Del.
May 1653 (of 53)Maryland
Primary[83]
568,131
6 Del.
126,978
(22.35%)
6 Del.
151,981
(26.75%)
41 Del.
219,687
(38.67%)
13,363
(2.35%)
17,728
(3.12%)
4,776
(0.84%)
12,602
(2.22%)
-2,168
(0.38%)
4,691
(0.83%)
13,584
(2.39%)
-573
(0.10%)
--
132 (of 132)Michigan
Primary[84] [85]
1,588,073
38 Del.
425,694
(26.81%)
27 Del.
249,798
(15.73%)
67 Del.
809,239
(50.96%)
38,701
(2.44%)
6,938
(0.44%)
-44,090
(2.78%)
----2,862
(0.18%)
--10,751
(0.68%)
May 1920 (of 20)Maine
State Convention[86]
---20 Del.-----------
May 19–2117 (of 17)Hawaii
State Convention[87] [88]
1.5 Del.-----------1.5 Del.-14 Del.
May 2010 (of 44)Iowa
State Convention[89]
5 Del.--3 Del.----------2 Del.
12 (of 12)Vermont
State Convention[90]
9 Del.--3 Del.-----------
46 (of 52)Washington
District Conventions[91] [92]
0 Del. ---46 Del.----------
May 2355 (of 73)Missouri
District Conventions[93]
11 Del.-------------44 Del.
34 (of 34)Oregon
Primary[94]
408,644
34 Del.
205,328
(50.25%)
51,163
(12.52%)
81,868
(20.03%)
10,244
(2.51%)
22,042
(5.39%)
1,208
(0.30%)
2,975
(0.73%)
-5,082
(1.24%)
8,943
(2.19%)
--6,500
(1.59%)
-13,291
(3.25%)
22 (of 22)Rhode Island
Primary[95]
37,864
22 Del.
15,603
(41.21%)
7,701
(20.34%)
5,802
(15.32%)
7,838
(20.70%)
138
(0.36%)
41
(0.11%)
---245
(0.65%)
6
(0.02%)
---490
(1.29%)
May 2610 (of 10)Alaska
State Convention[96]
--------------10 Del.
May 273 (of 3)Guam
Territorial Convention[97]
1 Del.1.5 Del.-0.5 Del.-----------
3 (of 3)Virgin Islands
Territorial Convention[98] [99]
--------------3 Del.
June 238 (of 51)Connecticut
District Conventions[100]
15 Del.-------------23 Del.
35 (of 47)Kentucky
District Conventions[101]
7 Del.-------------28 Del.
June 312 (of 47)Kentucky
State Convention
3 Del.-------------9 Del.
30 (of 39)Oklahoma
District Conventions[102]
10 Del.-------------20 Del.
June 6271 (of 271)California
Primary[103]
3,564,518
271 Del.
1,550,652
(43.50%)
1,375,064
(38.58%)
268,551
(7.53%)
72,701
(2.04%)
28,901
(0.81%)
-157,435
(4.42%)
-26,246
(0.74%)
34,203
(0.96%)
50,745
(1.42%)
---20
(1.59%)
17 (of 17)South Dakota
Primary[104]
28,017
17 Del.
28,017
(100.00%)
--------------
0 (of 109)New Jersey
Pres. Primary[105]
76,834
------51,433
(66.94%)
25,401
(33.06%)
-------
109 (of 109)New Jersey
Del. Primary[106]
72 Del.10 Del.------------27 Del.
18 (of 18)New Mexico
Primary
153,293
10 Del.
51,011
(33.28%)
39,768
(25.94%)
8 Del.
44,843
(29.25%)
6,411
(4.18%)
4,236
(2.76%)
-3,205
(2.09%)
-------3,819
(2.49%)
June 913 (of 64)Minnesota
State Convention[107]
5 Del.7 Del.----1 Del.--------
41 (of 53)Virginia
District Conventions[108] [109]
18 Del.2 Del.-1 Del.---1 Del.------19 Del.
June 105 (of 35)Kansas
State Convention[110]
--------------5 Del.
18 (of 73)Missouri
State Convention[111]
--------------18 Del.
9 (of 39)Oklahoma
State Convention[112]
3 Del. -------------6 Del.
12 (of 53)Virginia
State Convention[113]
9 Del.1 Del.----2 Del.--------
June 13130 (of 130)Texas
State Convention[114]
34 Del.21 Del.42 Del.-----------33 Del.
June 1627 (of 36)Colorado
District Conventions[115] [116]
17 Del.6 Del.----1 Del.-------13 Del.
13 (of 51)Connecticut
State Convention[117]
5 Del.-------------8 Del.
17 (of 17)Idaho
State Convention[118]
7 Del.1 Del.-3 Del.--2 Del.-------4 Del.
14 (of 14)North Dakota
State Convention[119]
7.7 Del.4.2 Del.------------2.1 Del.
19 (of 19)Utah
State Convention[120]
11 Del.-------------8 Del.
June 1717 (of 17)Montana
State Convention[121]
14.5 Del.-----1 Del.-------1.5 Del.
7 (of 7)Puerto Rico
Local Convention[122]
6 Del.0.5 Del.------------0.5 Del.
June 189 (of 36)Colorado
State Convention[123]
7 Del.1 Del.------------1 Del.
June 20278 (of 278)New York
Del. Primary[124] [125]
251 Del.--1 Del.--4 Del.-------22 Del.
June 236 (of 52)Washington
State Convention[126]
----6 Del.----------
June 2427 (of 27)Arkansas
State Convention[127]
-----27 Del.---------
13 (of 13)Delaware
State Convention[128]
5.85 Del.-------------7.15 Del.
Total
3,016 pledged delegates
1319.55
345.85
371
172.5
52
28
22
28
6
0
0
0
1.5
20
618.6
Suspected Delegate Count
as of June 27
[129]
1,466.15
(48.61%)
385.50
(12.78%)
377
(12.50%)
208.85
(6.92%)
53.75
(1.78%)
30.55
(1.01%)
23.65
(0.78%)
27
(0.90%)
0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
0
(0.00%)
441.25
(14.63%)

Analysis

In the end, McGovern succeeded in winning the nomination by winning primaries through grass-roots support in spite of establishment opposition. He had led a commission to redesign the Democratic nomination system after the messy and confused nomination struggle and convention of 1968. The fundamental principle of the McGovern-Fraser Commission—that the Democratic primaries should determine the winner of the Democratic nomination—lasted throughout every subsequent nomination contest. However, the new rules angered many prominent Democrats whose influence was marginalized, and those politicians refused to support McGovern's campaign (some even supporting Nixon instead), leaving the McGovern campaign at a significant disadvantage in funding compared to Nixon.

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Biggest. Field. Ever.. Steve. Benen . Steve Benen. MSNBC. May 5, 2015.
  2. Web site: Jacobson. Louis. May 2, 2019. Warren just took the lead in a key polling average. History is vague on what happens next.. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190522201223/https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2019/may/02/big-democratic-primary-field-what-need/. May 22, 2019. June 23, 2019. PolitiFact. en.
  3. News: Don't count out Ted Kennedy. The Free Lance–Star. June 4, 1971. Jack Anderson.
  4. Book: Frum, David. How We Got Here: The '70s. David Frum. 2000. Basic Books. New York, New York. 0-465-04195-7. 298. registration.
  5. News: Shirley Chisholm's 1972 Presidential Campaign . Jo . Freeman . University of Illinois at Chicago Women's History Project . February 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150126085532/http://www.uic.edu/orgs/cwluherstory/jofreeman/polhistory/chisholm.htm . 2015-01-26.
  6. Web site: CQ Almanac Online Edition.
  7. News: McGovern Shy 130 Votes as Delegate Choice Ends; Tally Finds McGovern is Shy 130 Votes . The New York Times .
  8. News: McGovern Assails Nixon on Cambodia . The New York Times .
  9. News: Humphrey Joins the Race; Asks U.S. To End War Now; Humphrey in Race; Urges War End Now . The New York Times .
  10. News: Wallace Joins Florida Race as Democrat; Wallace Enters Primary in Florida as a Democrat . The New York Times .
  11. News: Muskie Formally in Race; Pledges 'a New Beginning'; Muskie Formally in Nomination Race . The New York Times .
  12. News: Admits Strategy Failed; Muskie Abandons Primary Contention . The New York Times .
  13. News: Jackson Cites Lack of Funds in Quitting . The New York Times .
  14. News: Jackson in Race; He Asserts Nixon Fails to Win Trust; Jackson in Race for President; Says Nixon Fails to Win Trust . The New York Times .
  15. News: Rep. Mills Officially Enters Race for the Democratic Nomination; Mills Joins Race for Nomination . The New York Times .
  16. News: New Hat in Ring: Mrs. Chisolm's; Representative is Seeking Presidency as Democrat Mrs. Chisholm Joins Presidential Race . The New York Times .
  17. News: Sanford, Ex-Governor, Runs in Carolina for White House . The New York Times .
  18. News: Lindsay, in Race, Scores His Rivals; in Miami, He Also Attacks Nixon -- Says Washington Ignores Cities' Problems Lindsay, in Race, Attacks Nixon and Rivals in Democratic Party . The New York Times .
  19. News: Mayor Runs Sixth; Says Returns Indicate He Cannot Continue as a Candidate Lindsay Quits the Race After Sixth-Place Finish . The New York Times .
  20. News: McCarthy, Casually, Enters the '72 Race; A Casual McCarthy Enters 1972 Race . The New York Times .
  21. News: Yorty Enters Race; Eyes 2 Primaries; Yorty Enters Race; Eyes Two Primaries . The New York Times .
  22. News: Minnesotan Won't Quit; Humphrey Concedes Loss in California Voting Today . The New York Times .
  23. News: Petitions Raise Hartke Hopes . The New York Times .
  24. News: Rep. Mink Withdraws from President Race . The New York Times .
  25. Web site: 1971-10-19 . 19 Oct 1971, 10 - Hawaii Tribune-Herald at . 2022-05-27 . Newspapers.com.
  26. News: Harris in Race for Presidency, the Second Democrat to Declare; Harris in Race for Presidency, the Second Democrat to Declare . The New York Times .
  27. News: Harris, Declaring 'I Am Broke,' Withdraws from '72 Contention; $40,000 in Debt, Oklahoman Abandons a Short Campaign Based on 'New Populism' . The New York Times .
  28. Web site: 1972-04-27 . 27 Apr 1972, Page 8 - The Akron Beacon Journal at . 2022-05-27 . Newspapers.com.
  29. News: Bayh Quits Race; Cites Wife's Illness . The New York Times .
  30. News: Hughes Quits as Presidential Aspirant . The New York Times .
  31. News: Proxmire States He Will Not Run; Opens Way for McGovern in the Wisconsin Primary . The New York Times .
  32. Web site: 1972-03-31 . 31 Mar 1972, Page 2 - El Paso Herald-Post at . 2022-05-27 . Newspapers.com.
  33. News: Black in Capital to Enter Primary; Fauntroy to Run May 2 as Favorite-Son Candidate . The New York Times .
  34. News: Humphrey Victor in Ohio Vote; Wallace Wins Tennessee Race; HUMPHREY VICTOR BY SLIM OHIO EDGE . The New York Times .
  35. Web site: 15 Nov 1971, Page 30 - The Philadelphia Inquirer at . Newspapers.com . 1971-11-15 . 2022-05-27.
  36. Web site: 13 Dec 1971, Page 20 - The Ithaca Journal at . Newspapers.com . 1971-12-13 . 2022-05-27.
  37. Web site: 20 Jan 1972, Page 4 - The Orlando Sentinel at . Newspapers.com . 1972-01-20 . 2022-05-27.
  38. Web site: 28 Feb 1972, Page 17 - The Ithaca Journal at . Newspapers.com . 1972-02-28 . 2022-05-27.
  39. News: Pantazi . Andrew . Past Duval Presidential Elections . 25 December 2018 . Jacksonville.com . The Florida Times-Union . 2016 . "Later that year segregationist George Wallace would be shot and handicapped, but before then, he won Florida’s primary decisively, carrying every county but Miami-Dade.".
  40. News: Salam. Reihan. Double Scoop. May 27, 2003. The New Republic Online.
  41. "A Message of Discontent from Wisconsin ", "AllPolitics", Time, 04-17-1972.
  42. News: FBI Finds Nixon Aides Sabotaged Democrats . Bernstein . Carl. Woodward . Bob . 10 October 1972 . . 24 Dec 2018.
  43. "Remembering Ed Muskie ", Online NewsHour, PBS, March 26, 1996
  44. News: Washingtonpost.com: George Wallace Remembered. The Washington Post.
  45. News: Molotsky . Irvin . 1992-12-07 . Article Says Nixon Schemed To Tie Foe to Wallace Attack . 2024-03-14 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  46. Web site: nixontapes.org - Nixon Tapes and Transcripts . 2024-03-14 . nixontapes.org.
  47. News: Who's For Whom . Newsday (Suffolk Edition).
  48. News: Two Officers Named For Political Club . Great Falls Tribune.
  49. News: January 31, 1972 . Delegate Vote . en . The Arizona Republic . Phoenix, Arizona. September 24, 2023.
  50. News: February 13, 1972 . Delegate Vote by Democrats Follows Plan . en . The Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. September 24, 2023.
  51. News: February 28, 1972 . Larson Predicts 19 State Delegates to Back Muskie . en . The Iowa City Press-Citizen . Iowa City, Iowa. September 24, 2023.
  52. News: February 28, 1972 . Rival Democratic Factions Negotiate, Near Unification . en . The Sun Herald . Biloxi, Mississippi. September 24, 2023.
  53. News: July 9, 1972 . Mississippi Dispute Is Won By Loyalists . en . The New York Times . New York, New York. September 30, 2023.
  54. News: March 11, 1972 . Muskie Gets 14 of 20 Delegates to Nat'l Confab . en . The Valley News . West Lebanon, New Hampshire. September 24, 2023.
  55. News: March 12, 1972 . State Demos Favor Unpledged Delegates . en . The Macon News . Macon, Georgia. September 24, 2023.
  56. News: March 16, 1972 . Wallace's Victory Freezes Out Florida's Big-Name Delegates . en . The Miami Herald . Miami, Florida. September 26, 2023.
  57. News: March 22, 1972 . Muskie Winner Over McCarthy . en . The Chicago Tribune . Chicago, Illinois. September 26, 2023.
  58. News: March 23, 1972 . Victory in Illinois a major Plum for Muskie to Take to Wisconsin . en . The Chicago Tribune . Chicago, Illinois. September 26, 2023.
  59. News: March 27, 1972 . Muskie Holds On at Iowa Contests . en . The Des Moines Register . Des Moines, Iowa. September 24, 2023.
  60. News: March 30, 1972 . Carolina Delegates to Be Uncommitted . en . The New York Times. New York, New York. September 30, 2023.
  61. News: April 5, 1972 . McGovern Surges to State Victory . en . The Wisconsin State Journal . Madison, Wisconsin. September 26, 2023.
  62. News: April 18, 1972 . Young Demos Deliver Idaho to McGovern . en . The Idaho State Journal . Pocatello, Idaho. September 29, 2023.
  63. News: May 16, 1972 . McGovern Has a Solid Lead in State Delegates . en . The Rutland Daily Herlad . Rutlan, Vermont. September 28, 2023.
  64. News: April 29, 1972 . McGovern Piles Up Delegates . en . The Boston Globe . Boston, Massachusetts. September 26, 2023.
  65. News: April 27, 1972 . The Two Georges . en . The Philadelphia Inquirer . Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 26, 2023.
  66. News: June 12, 1972 . State Democrats Play 'New Politics' Game in Selecting At-Large Delegates . en . The News-Item . Shamokin, Pennsylvania. September 27, 2023.
  67. News: May 1, 1972 . Demos Pick Delegates After All-Night Convention Effort . en . The Reno Gazette-Journal . Reno, Nevada. September 27, 2023.
  68. News: April 30, 1972 . 'Kentucky... Ballots For . en . The Courier-Journal . Louisville, Kentucky. September 30, 2023.
  69. News: May 14, 1972 . Wallace Delegates May Select Blacks . en . The Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama. September 28, 2023.
  70. News: May 3, 1972 . Humphrey's 47% Wins Primary . en . The Indianapolis Star . Indianapolis, Indiana. September 26, 2023.
  71. News: May 6, 1972 . HHH Claims 6 Delegates From McGovern in Ohio . en . The Cincinnati Enquirer . Cincinnati, Ohio. September 27, 2023.
  72. News: May 11, 1972 . Final Returns Give Humphrey Ohio Delegation . en . The Cincinnati Enquirer . Cincinnati, Ohio. October 1, 2023.
  73. News: May 4, 1972 . Fauntroy Slate Wins . en . The Baltimore Sun . Baltimore, Maryland. September 26, 2023.
  74. News: May 6, 1972 . Presidential Primary Voting Passes 600,000 Over State . en . The Tennessean . Nashville, Tennessee. September 27, 2023.
  75. News: May 8, 1972 . Humphrey to Only Get Slim Delegate Margin . en . The Winona Daily News . Winona, Minnesota. September 29, 2023.
  76. News: June 6, 1972 . McGovern Wins 18 Delegates to Humphrey's 4 in Final Total . en . The Lincoln Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. September 27, 2023.
  77. News: May 12, 1972 . Humphrey Gains Most Delegates . en . The Beckley Post-Herald . Beckley, West Virginia. September 27, 2023.
  78. News: May 14, 1972 . Democratic Delegation Largely Uncommitted . en . The Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyoming. September 29, 2023.
  79. News: May 15, 1972 . McGovern Gets 2.5 Votes . en . The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. October 1, 2023.
  80. News: May 14, 1972 . McGovern Backers Claim 12 Delegates – Officially . en . The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, Kansas. September 30, 2023.
  81. News: May 14, 1972 . 29 Uncommitted Among 40 Demo State Delegates . en . The Sun Herald . Biloxi, Mississippi. September 24, 2023.
  82. News: May 21, 1972 . La. Demos Pick Edwards to Head Delegation . en . The Town Talk . Alexandria, Louisiana. September 30, 2023.
  83. News: May 18, 1972 . Wallace Convention Support Uncertain . en . The Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. September 27, 2023.
  84. News: May 18, 1972 . Leaders of Democrats Get Message: Change Needed . en . The Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. September 27, 2023.
  85. News: June 1, 1972 . Wallace Gets 67 Delegates . en . The Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. September 27, 2023.
  86. News: May 22, 1972 . Muskie Gets All 20 . en . The Bangor Daily News . Bangor, Maine. September 24, 2023.
  87. News: May 22, 1972 . Coalition Planning Miami Challange . en . The Honolulu Star-Bulletin . Honolulu, Hawaii. September 26, 2023.
  88. News: May 22, 1972 . Challenge to Hawaii Officially Dropped . en . The Honolulu Advertiser . Honolulu, Hawaii. September 26, 2023.
  89. News: May 21, 1972 . McGovern and Muskie Split . en . The Des Moines Register . Des Moines, Iowa. September 24, 2023.
  90. News: May 22, 1972 . McGovern Wins 9 Delegates . en . The Battleboro Reformer. Battleboro, Vermont. September 28, 2023.
  91. News: May 22, 1972 . McGovern Wins All 6 National Delegates at 3rd District Caucus . en. The Longview Daily News. Longview, Washington. September 30, 2023.
  92. News: June 25, 1972 . Jackson Capture All of State's 52 Delegates . en. The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. September 30, 2023.
  93. News: May 24, 1972 . 44 Uncommitted Delegates Chosen by State Demos . en . The St. Joseph News-Press . St. Joseph, Missouri. September 30, 2023.
  94. News: May 24, 1972 . Strong Showing for McGovern; Wallace Second . en . The Capital Journal . Salem, Oregon. September 26, 2023.
  95. News: May 24, 1972 . Without Even Visiting the State, McGovern Sweeps Rhode Island . en . The Boston Globe . Boston, Massachusetts. September 27, 2023.
  96. News: May 31, 1972 . Most Alaska Delegates Back Hubert, McGovern . en . The Olympian . Olympia, Washington. September 30, 2023.
  97. News: May 29, 1972 . Humphrey Wins Guam Delegates . en . The Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. October 1, 2023.
  98. News: Feb 25, 1972 . Virgin Island Delegation Backs Jackson . en . Longview Daily News. Chester, Pennsylvania. May 14, 2024.
  99. News: May 27, 1972 . McGovern's in Driver's Seat . en . The Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. October 1, 2023.
  100. News: June 5, 1972 . McGovern Wins 41 Votes in 5 Contests . en . The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massacshuetts. September 27, 2023.
  101. News: June 4, 1972 . 37 Kentucky Delegates Are Uncommitted; 10 Go to McGovern . en . The Courier-Journal . Louisville, Kentucky. September 30, 2023.
  102. News: June 5, 1972 . McGovern's Oklahoma Delegate Strength Appears Locked at 10 . en . The Lawton Constitution. Lawton, Oklahoma. September 30, 2023.
  103. News: June 7, 1972 . McGovern Tops HHH 45% to 40% in California, Wins 3 Other States . en . The Sacramento Bee . Sacramento, California. September 26, 2023.
  104. News: June 7, 1972 . McGovern Wins Crucial Primary in California . en . The Argus-Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. September 27, 2023.
  105. News: June 8, 1972 . McGovern, Wallace Officials OK State Delegate Alignment . en . The Albuquerque Journal . Albuquerque, New Mexico. September 27, 2023.
  106. News: June 13, 1972 . Delegates Pick Leaders . en . The Record . Hackensack, New Jersey. September 27, 2023.
  107. News: June 12, 1972 . Craig Wins Surprising Victory . en . The St. Cloud Times . Saint Cloud, Minnesota. September 29, 2023.
  108. News: June 10, 1972 . Virginia Delegates to Miami Named . en . The Roanoke Times. Roanoke, Virginia. September 27, 2023.
  109. News: June 10, 1972 . 30 of 53 Seen for McGovern . en . The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond, Virginia. September 27, 2023.
  110. News: June 11, 1972 . McGovern Camp Loses Delegate Bid . en . The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, Kansas. September 30, 2023.
  111. News: June 11, 1972 . Hearnes Holds Delegation . en . The Kansas City Star . Kansas City, Kansas. September 30, 2023.
  112. News: June 13, 1972 . Demo Chief Backs Muskie . en . The Tulsa World. Tulsa, Oklahoma. September 30, 2023.
  113. News: June 12, 1972 . Sen. McGovern Pick Up 30 More Delegates . en . The Bee. Danville, Virginia. September 27, 2023.
  114. News: June 15, 1972 . Democratic Convention Ends; Delegation Set . en . The Forth Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas. September 30, 2023.
  115. News: June 18, 1972 . McGovern Assured of Major Share of Delegates . en . The Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. September 30, 2023.
  116. News: June 17, 1972 . McGovern Assured of Major Share of Delegates . en . The Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. Colorado Springs, Colorado. September 30, 2023.
  117. News: June 19, 1972 . McGovern Delegate Total Hits 1,113 . en . The Baltimore Sun. October 1, 2023.
  118. News: June 19, 1972 . McGovern Gets Most Delegates . en . The South Idaho Press . Burley, Idaho. September 29, 2023.
  119. News: June 17, 1972 . McGovern Wins 11 of 20 Delegates . en . The Morning Pioneer . Mandan, North Dakota. September 30, 2023.
  120. News: June 19, 1972 . Demos Face Job of Selling . en . The Ogden Standard-Examiner . Ogden, Utah. September 30, 2023.
  121. News: June 19, 1972 . 17 of 20 Montana Demo Delegates to McGovern . en . The Missoulian . Missoula, Iowa. September 27, 2023.
  122. News: June 19, 1972 . McGovern Delegate Total His 1,113 . en . The Baltimore Sun. October 1, 2023.
  123. News: June 19, 1972 . State Democrats Equally Divided Among Delegates . en . The Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. September 30, 2023.
  124. News: June 22, 1972 . McGoven Victory a Blow to State Party Leaders. en . The New York Times. New York, New York. September 30, 2023.
  125. News: June 25, 1972 . State Democrats Head Off Split . en . The New York Times. New York, New York. September 30, 2023.
  126. News: June 25, 1972 . Jackson Captures All of State's 52 Delegates . en . The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. September 30, 2023.
  127. News: June 26, 1972 . Some State Delegates Would Back McGovern . en . The Camden News . Camden, Arkansas. September 26, 2023.
  128. News: June 24, 1972 . McGovern Wins 5.85 Delegates . en . The Morning News. Wilmington, Delaware. September 27, 2023.
  129. News: The Candidates' Delegates . The New York Times .