McGovern formally announced his candidacy on August 10 , 1968 , in Washington , two weeks in advance of the 1968 Democratic National Convention , committing himself to " the goals for which Robert Kennedy gave his life . " Asked why he was a better choice than McCarthy , he said , " Well – Gene really does n't want to be president , and I do . " At the convention in Chicago , Humphrey was the near-certain choice , while McGovern became the initial rallying point for around 300 leaderless Kennedy delegates . The chaotic circumstances of the convention found McGovern denouncing the Chicago police tactics against demonstrators as " police brutality . " Given the internal politics of the party , it was difficult for McGovern to gain in delegate strength , and black protest candidate Channing E. Phillips drew off some of his support . In the actual roll call , McGovern came in third with 146 ½ delegates , far behind Humphrey 's 1760 ¼ and McCarthy 's 601
1968 Democratic National Convention
1968 Democratic National Convention
George McGovern