http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/10/mccarthy.obit.ap.ap/index.htmlWASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy was an atypical politician, a former college professor with a witty, erudite speaking style. His surprising 1968 presidential campaign turned him into a spokesman for a generation angry about the war in Vietnam.
McCarthy, 89, died in his sleep Saturday at an assisted living home in the Georgetown neighborhood where he had lived for the past few years, said his son, Michael.
McCarthy challenged Lyndon Johnson in the 1968 campaign, and prompted Johnson to reconsider.Born in Watkins, Minnesota, where he attended the public schools, he was a 1935 graduate of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, McCarthy earned his master's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1939. He taught in the public schools of Minnesota and North Dakota from 1935 to 1940, when he became a professor of economics and education at St. John's, working there from 1940 to 1943.
He was a civilian technical assistant in the Military Intelligence Division of the War Department in 1944 and an instructor in sociology and economics at St. Thomas College, St. Paul, Minnesota from 1946 to 1949.
Representing Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District, McCarthy served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1949 to 1959. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1958.
He went on to serve in the U.S. Senate from 1959 to 1971, and was a member of (among other committees) the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A resident of Woodville, Virginia in later life, Eugene McCarthy died in a Georgetown retirement home on December 10, 2005.
Robert Kennedy then stepped forward as the Democratic nominee, but was then assassinated June 5, 1968. Hubert Humphrey then challenged Richard Nixon in the presidential election, and the rest is history.When McCarthy scored 42% to Johnson's 49% on March 12, 1968, it was clear that deep division existed among Democrats on the war issue. By this time, Johnson had become inextricably defined by Vietnam, and this demonstration of divided support within his party meant his reelection (only four years after winning the highest percentage of the popular vote in modern history) was unlikely. On March 31, 1968, Johnson announced he would not seek reelection.
Eugene McCarthy was a politician and writer who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and later as a United States Senator. He is most well-known for his anti-Vietnam War stance and his run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968.
Eugene McCarthy passed away on December 10, 2005 at the age of 89. The cause of death was complications from Parkinson's disease.
Eugene McCarthy's anti-war stance and presidential campaign in 1968 had a significant impact on American politics. He was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War and his candidacy brought attention to the issue and helped shift public opinion against the war. His campaign also paved the way for future anti-war movements and influenced other politicians to take a stand against the war.
Eugene McCarthy is remembered as a prominent figure in American politics and a strong advocate for peace and social justice. He is also remembered for his wit, intelligence, and integrity. Many consider him a hero for his brave stance against the Vietnam War and his dedication to his principles.
Eugene McCarthy's legacy includes his role in the anti-war movement, his impact on American politics, and his contributions to literature and poetry. He is also remembered for his progressive views on civil rights, social justice, and the environment. His legacy continues to inspire future generations to stand up for their beliefs and fight for a better world.