Eugene McCarthy presidential campaign speech files collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no use restrictions for educational use. For purposes other than educational use, the materials are subject to United States Copyright Law.

Preferred citation:

Eugene McCarthy presidential campaign speech files collection, C0203, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
1.0 linear feet (2 boxes)
Creator:
McCarthy, Eugene J., 1916-2005
Abstract:
The Eugene McCarthy presidential campaign papers contain documents from six speech file "books" used by the campaign staff. The speeches span from October 1967 to July 1968 and include remarks he gave prior to his entry into the race for the Democratic nomination. Some of the speeches are from campaign stops in particular primary states, such as Nebraska, and the speeches generally document McCarthy's positions on the Vietnam War, the economy, and race relations.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Eugene McCarthy presidential campaign speech files collection, C0203, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The Eugene McCarthy presidential campaign papers contain documents from six speech file "books" used by the campaign staff. The speeches span from October 1967 to July 1968 and include remarks he gave prior to his entry into the race for the Democratic nomination. Some of the speeches are from campaign stops in particular primary states, such as Nebraska, and the speeches generally document McCarthy's positions on the Vietnam War, the economy, and race relations. Although most of the documents are speeches, there are also transcripts of debates, television appearances, and press conferences. The transcripts include an exchange between McCarthy and Robert Kennedy on ABC television, and another transcript documents McCarthy's appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. A press conference transcript from June 14, 1968, is particularly notable since it appears to be the first press conference McCarthy held following the assassination of Robert Kennedy. The documents are all photocopies, but some of them contain handwritten edits that were also copied.

Biographical / historical:

On November 30, 1967, Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota announced his candidacy for President of the United States. He positioned himself as the anti-Vietnam War candidate to present a clear distinction between himself and the incumbent president, Lyndon Johnson. With the help of younger voters, particularly college students, McCarthy gathered enough support to challenge Johnson in the primaries, and on March 31, 1968, Johnson dropped out of the race rather than face a long nomination battle against McCarthy as well as Robert F. Kennedy. Following Johnson's exit, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey entered the race, and George McGovern joined the race after the assassination of Kennedy on June 5. McCarthy went on to lose the nomination at the Democratic convention in Chicago, and the Democratic nominee Hubert Humphrey lost in the general election to Richard M. Nixon. Hampton Brown, the collection donor, worked for the McCarthy campaign.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Hampton Brown in 2011.
Processing information:

Processed by Jordan Patty in April 2012. EAD markup completed by Jordan Patty in April 2012.

Arrangement:

The folders are arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard