Mondale: McCarthy was `giant’ of Minnesota history

12/12/2005

MINNEAPOLIS - Politicians of both parties are remembering former U.S. Sen. Eugene McCarthy for his activism and for his public service.

McCarthy died today in Washington, D-C, at an assisted living home. He was 89.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale tells The Associated Press that McCarthy was “one of the giants in Minnesota history.”

Mondale served with McCarthy in the Senate. Mondale says he thinks McCarthy’s challenge to President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 helped bring the Vietnam War to an end.

McCarthy’s campaign led to Johnson’s withdrawal from the race. Johnson threw his support to his vice president, Minnesotan Hubert Humphrey, who narrowly lost to Richard Nixon.

Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, a Republican who led anti-war protests as a college student, says McCarthy inspired “an entire generation of young Americans”—including himself—in the ‘60s to “get involved in the political process and make a difference.”

Minnesota’s other senator, Democrat Mark Dayton, says McCarthy “ignited a generation of political activists and civic leaders,” and “His brilliance and eloquence will be missed.”