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Democratic Values

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    Former Sen. George McGovern (D-SD) speaks with Alan about what it means to be a Democrat

  • Duration 13:55
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And telecoms welcome back to our microphone former senator George McGovern.

He was the end 1972.

Because democratic candidate for -- the United States is a war hero 35 combat missions.

He.

Was appointed the first United Nations global ambassador on hunger we -- on the list we'd have no time to document all your credit but senator thank you -- -- and on the program today.

Well it's my pleasure -- always enjoy your program.

Thank you very much your book you new book is what it means to be a Democrat.

And I I wonder if you felt an urgency.

To write that particular book this particular book at this particular time.

Well I didn't feel an occasion did need to do this because I'm -- happy with today's political situation.

It is too much -- partisanship.

It's -- standard.

Two negatives and wolf -- The real problems -- -- this country so I think that the things related to the epidemic.

Mr.

-- Critical book.

Of my own and have priority and suggestions of what I think -- very.

Really should be trained to do these -- it's.

I think be it Democrats are much more constructive.

Than in the media have been here and made the but.

It's just.

But that's what -- -- and I think we can do even better.

What I want to Democrats need to do in fact you do you quite Democrats who liberal and progressive do you.

Do you see those all -- similarities.

Yeah I think the Republicans should be -- Conservative Party in and we needed that.

Conservative Party in this country and I think the Democrats.

-- The liberals.

Because.

It's.

They competition.

Between these two.

Philosophy -- government that is the strength does the American system.

So.

This is in the -- you know.

-- the Democrats.

Concentrated.

Attention on what they're going to do.

It is what's wrong with that Republicans.

What do you -- what should Democrats do if they were following your dictates.

What -- what -- should they take right now.

Well I wouldn't mind at those two wars in the Middle East before this -- -- it.

We should we shouldn't be here -- baby ever actually had nothing to do -- Ten.

There's no threat it's.

They -- an important country but it we should have left them alone.

You know we have the best army and navy and Marine Corps in the world but that's all the more reason to be careful.

You tell -- to Barack Obama did you saw him in March in your life.

I did a very simply.

Pull both Afghanistan.

And they recommend the -- That he's now doing that he says he'll have all our troops.

But.

The end -- this year so I think and so -- -- good.

What else do Democrats liberals need to do -- this time.

Well if we can and these two wars that -- free.

Hundreds of billions it this and so that we can use -- purposes.

It was nice to see the United States -- only had their industrial nations of the world who had.

Comprehensive health insurance for years and they establish an assembly assistant in the United States.

Medical care costs a lot of money these days.

-- hospital care costs a lot of money we probably have the best deck is.

Hospitals in the world.

But it's a lot of people haven't followed them a lot of middle class people have a forward.

The because its health care so they -- seriously stands.

The Medicare system which now includes this people over sixty -- so all of since.

I think it's wonderful I've been if there.

Over fifty years twenty years and like to see my kids who are no longer -- that.

I'd like to see them eligible for it and my grandchildren.

That's what we do.

-- -- -- replacing 906 page Affordable Care Act.

With seven words congress hereby extend Medicare to all Americans.

That's exactly.

I think K you know Hillary Clinton as a -- walk and -- birds are.

-- the Clinton administration urged him to par is kind today.

-- medical care system that would -- That they there's remember that this thirteen hundred pages.

Hope nobody's -- read it bill.

Wrong.

Including mania has ever let -- yeah -- that you have to take action.

But it I think just for the simple says news conference here extend Medicare.

To all Americans.

Names from the day they're born until it dated.

And if we did says it -- taken -- -- the economic pressures the middle.

And so poor people and enable them to have the same key indicator that little CP.

How do you combat they Republicans who are now on the stairs is a libertarian streak -- the Republican Party.

Anti government government can't do anything right when we talk about health care they accused Democrats want to take over.

16 of the economy.

And the government is -- enemy and that is what Democrats are fighting in fact many Democrats.

Too many of them it seems probably have that same view today.

Well I don't do I'm proud to the United States government.

I've had the privilege.

-- Say that -- the world over the last fifty years I've never seen any country.

Anywhere on this series.

This has is that big government has the United States of America.

I'm proud that this country.

I'm proud of this there's there's -- government and I'm proud.

The people who had sponsored or government.

That's that includes George Washington Ben Franklin's.

Adams Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton.

It's -- -- the most brilliant.

Then -- their their head they're the ones that criticized.

I was trying to irritate.

A system of government and we ought to be proud of that statement knocking it is there and -- I think that's one difference between.

Democrats and Republicans and Democrats believe in the circles.

They believe it's our partners their enemy too many Republicans.

Want to.

Take away -- these important programs.

And not have anymore I mean it's they had their way if we had no Social Security.

We can't know Medicare and we had no -- Electrification.

We no guarantee bank deposits.

We have no national -- to -- bullets they've had no interstate highway system incidentally.

-- it seemed highly system was built.

During the Eisenhower.

Administration.

Is one of the great things that present in the nation did I get most of -- credit for it.

Having -- -- to do that.

A lot of these Republicans would never make it in today's Republican Party George McGovern is our guest he has written and his new book is what -- means.

To be a Democrat I'm fascinated we can go down I mean there's so many items you talk about in the book and so many issues which people get when they read the book.

But I'm also interested in your evolution you -- your wife -- -- For turning you from Republican to Democrat I didn't realize that you ever Republican.

Oh yes -- Barnes.

Celtics.

To this this strong Republican passes.

In that and as Republicans but the interesting thing -- is that.

The Republicans they admired the people who visit it would be prepared -- -- -- I'm talking about Jorge Linares at Nebraska.

Both at college of Wisconsin.

Peter north that is -- that.

All these.

They do -- roses.

Republicans.

Less so today they think it is in this strange land that they wanted him to me is Republican strategist is that -- You talk in the book about as a young boy having a family friend named -- Kendall.

And how that crystallize your views at a very young and.

-- Kendall is one of the best -- -- we've reduced in this two that.

My dad now I used to go hunting purposes -- -- he was an incredible show he had that double she.

And Christian presence what he's done them both -- before you realized it was time to ship them.

That we came out there one days until I think that -- -- -- sitting on his -- of course with his head in his hands and when he -- -- -- we.

He has been crying and I think it's see through that that's done is -- -- it tears coming down.

And I dances are excellent and he says look here and he handed night the statements which Booth.

That it cost him more dictated that trucker.

That took -- year's crop that -- So that market that he got for the type of the -- it was a natural.

It produces.

Fiftieth pick the page and sell them in that nineteen.

And 1932.

So.

I have remembered.

And that led me to -- -- commitment.

They do everything I could -- help to farmers.

In this country.

I think our firm and true under the absolutely.

Crucial producers.

Didn't hit it made -- that that statement social.

Producers in the world it provided the base is very good as good nutrition.

And I am glad that the Democratic Party is so he stood behind -- -- this -- this country.

Senator let me ask you about the upcoming presidential election a year away -- the year goes by fast and how vulnerable do you think President Obama is and is there anybody.

Among the Republicans do you think -- has a good opportunity perhaps replace him.

They've seen anybody in mind that once said that announced it is so -- When you look at those nine years ten candidates and listen to -- it had to say.

It's mostly negative step.

It's what the Democrats and I do what we're -- -- they don't really have much in the program themselves to accept.

To reduce -- reached and the influence.

Of the federal government I don't agree with that philosophy.

I'm delighted.

To live in the country from where the federal government gives me good -- Where it gives me Social Security query it's -- Medicare very gives me guarantee bank to this.

I'm glad to be any country where we're fighting for this thing is strong.

Environment it's -- and say.

I'd like to see -- build a network of railroads -- -- the best in the world.

I'm more interested in -- political party is hopeful.

Our.

Then what against this -- see that pared down the building.

It's not easy to build -- -- -- that building that that's that we should be doing this kind.

One item in the book.

Owners as human as you talk about.

Reinstating the draft in -- time -- during the Vietnam War you're against the draft.

You called repeatedly to ended but there was that was wartime so and I'm gonna understand your your philosophy.

Yeah I tell you who they change me on that this Ted Kennedy he always voted in favor of the -- And he explained it to me one day at least that -- quite a bit of time together.

Hate Larry you did most since the boys -- is flawed.

And they it.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Poor people.

Very few.

Well the youngsters went -- -- Very few in the upper middle class or even in the middle class is -- and he says you know what this draft every Thursday.

Which have to participate in the war that may even keep this out rewards because it it's that being that there -- kids.

Had to participate.

In the war of the magnet basic quick to -- an -- and that some conflicting period the world so.

I give him credit very convincing me that it wore tan.

They have the trap that -- everybody.

Senator I'm so glad you wrote this book it's more important now than ever.

Although -- the phrase now more than ever reminds me of Richard Nixon's an interim public health effects and the fact and I thank you very much -- coming on the program tonight sir it's always a delight to talk to you.

Thanks -- you -- and.

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