McGovern was the first real leftist Democratic candidate, he was the counterculture nominee. he also ran the first real primary campaign, Muskie focused on big states, McGovern focused on the other states and won. He was just too radical for the times, the Democrats would not help him and basically gave up chances of winning after the convention and Eagleton scandal
McGovern was a fairly typical liberal Northern Democrat of the time. He wasn't a radical, even though he did have some radical supporters.
What's interesting is that the modern Democratic Party liberal base of professionals, minorities, students, and well-educated people comes largely from McGovern's 72 campaign. Also, ultra-liberal third parties like the Greens and Peace and Freedom owe a lot to the McGovern campaign, too.
