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Black delegates to the Democratic National Convention endorse the presidential candidacy of Senator George McGovern.
1972 (Jun 26)
A bloc of Black delegates to the Democratic National Convention, led by representative Walter E. Fauntroy from Washington, D.C., endorsed the presidential candidacy of South Dakota Senator George McGovern. Fauntroy announced that ninety-six previously uncommitted Black delegates would now vote for McGovern. McGovern predicted that the Black bloc might be enough to give him the nomination on the first ballot. A later recount by all parties confirmed that the Black bloc really numbered only about sixty votes, not enough to assure McGovern a first ballot victory. Senator McGovern had won favor among Blacks for his support of parts of the programs of the Black Congressional Caucus, the Black National Convention, and his pledge to appoint Blacks to high-ranking positions in any administration which he should head.
References:
- • Hornsby, Alton. Chronology of African-American History: Significant Events and People from 1619 to the Present. Detroit: Gale Research, 1995.