From the New York Times’s obituary of Robert Novak, recalling his role in the 1972 Presidential election:
In April 1972, Mr. Evans and Mr. Novak reported that Senator George S. McGovern, the Democratic presidential candidate, favored abortion rights, legalization of marijuana and amnesty for draft dodgers — positions that crippled his standing with most conservative voters.
1972–how long ago it seems! The Times reporters may not have been around then, but in those days it wasn’t only conservatives who were put off by acid, amnesty and abortion–McGovern lost the entire country, except for Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. At that time, it was possible to be too far left for states like California, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island. It is depressing to consider whether that is still true.
Via The Corner.
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