McGovern sounds off on money in politics
Retired U.S. Senator George McGovern had no issue telling President Barack Obama he should bring American troops home from Afghanistan.
Retired U.S. Senator George McGovern had no issue telling President Barack Obama he should bring American troops home from Afghanistan.
He only wished he had told President Lyndon B. Johnson the same during his time in office and the Vietnam War.
Two weeks ago McGovern left his home in St. Johns County for Washington D.C. to have a chat with Obama.
"I told him I had two compliments for him and only one criticism," McGovern said in front of a crowded room of Coffee Party of St. Augustine supporters at the main county library on Ponce de Leon Boulevard Monday night. He was the guest speaker at the local town hall event, where he spoke about the impact of money in politics.
McGovern told Obama that he admired how he publicly handled the riots in Egypt and how he stood alongside Muslim Americans despite U.S. Rep. Peter King's controversial Muslim hearings. McGovern's only criticism, he said, was that American troops still remain in Afghanistan.
This brief chat reminded McGovern of his time in office during the Vietnam War.
"I am truly sorry that I didn't speak directly to (President) Johnson about my feelings on the (Vietnam) war," McGovern said. "I know he inherited that war and just didn't know how to get out of it."
McGovern shared stories about his experiences as a senator, a World War II pilot, and life on the presidential campaign trail to those who gathered at the library Monday night. He took questions from local residents who came looking for his insight and outlook on current legislation and politics.
McGovern openly criticized Governor Rick Scott for his lavish campaign spending, in which Scott spent $78 million of his own money on his campaign, McGovern said.
"Money shouldn't decide races," he said bluntly. "It is okay for candidates to out work their opponent."
McGovern also expressed his concern over the gaining speed of the Tea Party movement.
"If I were a Republican, I would worry about the Tea Party," he said. "They may have their own slate of candidates soon, which could split their votes in two."
He also touched on the expensive Iraq and Afghanistan wars that dramatically increased the national deficit, and the brutal leader of Libya.
"He even looks mean," McGovern joked about Libyan leader, Moammar Gadhafi. "Eventually he should run for governor."
After the event, those who attended were able to get an autograph from McGovern or have him sign one of his four books that were offered for sale.
McGovern was the Democratic presidental nominee against Richard Nixon in 1972. He served as a congressman for four years and 18 years as a U.S. senator. He also is an historian and taught history classes as a professor.
The Coffee Party is a grassroots group formed as an alternative to the Tea Party movement.
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