March 13, 1972

McCarthy shoots holes in Muskie's hat

Hours after Muskie made his candidacy official, former Senator McCarthy announced he intended to hold Muskie "accountable" for his stance on the Vietnam War before 1968 and his role in the 1968 convention. Observers speculated McCarthy was seeking revenge. His unexpectedly strong showing in the 1968 New Hampshire primary forced President Johnson not to seek reelection, but McCarthy's candidacy faded.

Courtesy of Pat Oliphant and the Susan Conway Gallery of Washington, D.C.