Eugene Joseph McCarthy was an American Democrat politician and poet, who represented Minnesota in the United States Senate and Minnesota's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.
Born March 29th, 1916 in Watkins, Minnesota, McCarthy served as a code breaker for the United States Department of War during World War II. After the war, he was elected as U.S. Congressman from 1949 to 1959. McCarthy then was elected to the U.S. Senate from 1959 to 1971. McCarthy sought the presidency five times (most notably in 1968 with anti-Vietnam War platform), but never won.
As well as his vocal anti-war stance, McCarthy was well known for publishing numerous poetry books in his lifetime.
October 22, 1999 - MPR’s Lynette Nyman presents short profile of Former U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy. Includes clip of listener commentary on McCarthy.
October 22, 1999 - Hy Berman, professor of history at the University of Minnesota, discusses Eugene McCarthy.
November 2, 2000 - Senator and former presidential candidate talks about presidential candidate Ralph Nader and Democrats.
May 14, 2001 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy about politics and a new documentary about his life, titled “I'm Sorry I Was Right.” McCarthy also answers listener questions.
July 29, 2002 - Former presidential candidate and longtime Minnesota US Senator Eugene McCarthy is in the MPR studios to talk about politics and literature.
March 25, 2003 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews former DFL Senator Eugene McCarthy discusses his world views and the current situation in U.S.-Iraq War.
June 12, 2003 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with former Minnesota U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy on past and current presidential campaigns, candidates, and the Presidency of George W. Bush. McCarthy also answers listener questions.
November 13, 2003 - Former Minnesota Democratic U.S. senator and former Presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy in the MPR studios with Gary Eichten to talk about politics and current events. McCarthy discusses the state of the DFL, polarization of the parties, war, his 1968 campaign, and also answers listener questions.
December 12, 2005 - A private burial is planned Wednesday in Woodville, Virginia, for former Minnesota Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy, who died Saturday at age 89. A memorial service is also being planned early next year at St. John's University in Collegeville. McCarthy was one of the state's most distinguished politicians. He served two terms in the U.S. Senate, and before that five terms in the House of Representatives. McCarthy's political zenith came in 1968, when opposition to the Vietnam War turned into a crusade to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. McCarthy didn't win. But his candidacy, and the 1968 campaign, left lasting imprints on American politics. MPR’s Tim Pugmire looks back at McCarthy and his political legacy.
December 12, 2005 - A private burial is planned Wednesday in Woodville, Virginia, for former Minnesota Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy, who died Saturday at age 89. A memorial service is also being planned early next year at St. John's University in Collegeville. McCarthy was one of the state's most distinguished politicians. He served two terms in the U.S. Senate, and before that five terms in the House of Representatives. McCarthy's political zenith came in 1968, when opposition to the Vietnam War turned into a crusade to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. McCarthy didn't win. But his candidacy, and the 1968 campaign, left lasting imprints on American politics.