"Come home America." - George McGovern, 1972

In a historic presidential campaign speech delivered on May 15, 1972, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota declared, "Come home, America." At the time, the United States was embroiled in the escalating Vietnam War, with troops stationed on foreign soil and a deeply divided nation. McGovern, the Democratic Party's nominee for president, chose to make the declaration at the War Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa, as part of a series of stops on his campaign trail.

McGovern's message resonated with many Americans who felt that the country had strayed from its founding principles of democracy and self-determination. Following the ideals of leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, McGovern envisioned a nation where its power and influence were used for noble pursuits, rather than overseas military occupations. The slogan, "Come home, America," struck a chord with disillusioned citizens, many of whom had grown weary of the seemingly endless Vietnam War and its American casualties.

That same month, McGovern held high-profile rallies in Missouri and Nebraska, drawing large crowds and forceful applause from attendees. Critics argued that McGovern's anti-war stance made him unpatriotic and weak on national defense. Despite these attacks, McGovern remained steadfast in his commitment to ending U.S. involvement in Vietnam and focusing domestic resources on pressing social issues like poverty and education.

McGovern's overriding goal was to restore a sense of patriotism grounded in American values like democratic governance and human rights, rather than mere nationalism and militarism. Past U.S. presidents, such as Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, emphasized international cooperation and U.S. responsibility to address global issues through collective action. In contrast, during the early 1970s, the increased U.S. military presence in Vietnam marked a shift in foreign policy that many saw as outweighing these principles of cooperation and working with international partners.

Despite launching a bold critique of contemporary events, McGovern remained steadfast in his efforts to engage in civil discourse with opponents and boost public participation in American politics.