Two weeks after his nomination as the Democratic candidate for President, it was revealed that McGovern's running mate, Thomas Eagleton, had received electroshock therapy for depression.  This caused a great deal of negative publicity and Eagleton eventually withdrew from the ticket. In the general election, McGovern lost 60%-38% to Richard Nixon.  McGovern was only able to win 17 Electoral Votes, out of 520.  He even failed to win his home state of South Dakota, a state traditionally known to vote democratic.

What was McGovern's problem?  Well besides the Eagleton fiasco, he just could not connect with the blue-collar voters who make up the heart of the Democratic Party.  They simply would not vote for him.  This wasn't a suprise.  At the Convention, there was great fight among the party leaders because they knew that he was not electable, however, there was no ability for the delegates to switch their votes, so they stuck with McGovern and they lost. 

Barack Obama has his own Thomas Eagleton, its the Reverend Wright.  He also simply cannot connect with the blue collar voters, they are voting for Hillary and will most likely cross partly lines to vote for McCain in November.  The difference today is that the Superdelegates can avoid a repeat of the 1972 trainwreck, and do what they have to do, what is best for the party.  What is  best for the party is not to select Barack Obama as the Democratic Presidential Candidate.  McGovern's endorsement of Hillary several months ago, and his switch now to Obama is a ironic, he switched candidates in 1972 as well.