Former U.S. Senator & Democratic Presidential Nominee George McGovern Dies

Former U.S. Senator George McGovern died early this morning in Souix Falls, South Dakota. He was 90. From the Chicago Tribune:

George S. McGovern, a proud liberal who argued fervently against the Vietnam War as a senator from South Dakota and suffered one of the most crushing defeats in presidential election history against Richard Nixon in 1972, died before dawn Sunday. He was 90.

A spokesman for McGovern’s family, Steve Hildebrand, told The Associated Press by telephone that McGovern died peacefully at 5:15 a.m. Sunday at a hospice in Sioux Falls, surrounded by family and lifelong friends. The family had said in a statement late last week that McGovern had become unresponsive while under hospice care.

“We are blessed to know that our father lived a long, successful and productive life advocating for the hungry, being a progressive voice for millions and fighting for peace. He continued giving speeches, writing and advising all the way up to and past his 90th birthday, which he celebrated this summer,” a family statement released by Hildebrand said.

My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.