Former U.S. presidential candidate and Senator George McGovern dies aged 90

October 24, 2012 Former Democratic Presidential candidate and United States Senator from South Dakota  died Sunday at the age of 90 in, South Dakota. He died at 5:15 am local time (1015 UTC).

McGovern's 1972 running mate was originally, however, due to revelations about Eagleton's psychiatric past, he was replaced by. McGovern and his running mate Shriver lost to  and. McGovern got only 17. In 1992, he spoke of possibly running for president one last time; however, he judged a younger candidate without his political history would be better.

McGovern was a senator for South Dakota from 1963 to 1981. He was the first Democrat elected in South Dakota to that position since 1930.

He was head of the program under President. Later, he was from 1998 to 2001. McGovern and received the 2008  for creating a program for international child nutrition and education.

His family made a statement about his death: "Our wonderful father, George McGovern, passed away peacefully at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by our family and life-long friends".

Many politicians have made comments and tributes about McGovern's death:

U.S. President Barack Obama said, "George McGovern dedicated his life to serving the country he loved. ... And after his career in Congress, he became a leading voice in the fight against hunger. ... and I share our thoughts and prayers with his family."

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said, on behalf of himself and, "Jill and I are profoundly saddened to hear about George McGovern's passing. I was honored to serve with him, to know him, and to call him a friend. ... Above all, George McGovern was a generous, kind, honorable man. He will be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family today."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said, "We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend George McGovern. The world has lost a tireless advocate for and dignity. We first met George while campaigning for him in 1972. ... Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

U.S. Senator said, "George McGovern was a voice of clarity and conviction at a time [the ] when America needed it most."

Former of the U.S.  Newt Gingrich said, on, "George actually was a very complicated person. He had served as a bomber pilot in World War II, he was not a pacifist and his argument over Vietnam was about that particular war." McGovern was born as George Stanley McGovern on July 19, 1922 in, South Dakota. He was raised in, South Dakota. He married, and their marriage lasted 64 years until her death at the age of 85 in 2007. During he served as a bomber pilot. They had five children &mdash; four daughters and one son.